Web-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention for University Students

NCT07753837 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: NUML-PSY_2024/176
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 176
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

University students frequently experience psychological distress, reduced wellbeing, and academic challenges associated with the transition to higher education. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted web-based intervention based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving an eight-session online mindfulness program or a wait-list control group. The intervention was designed to improve mindfulness, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, quality of life, and academic functioning. Outcomes were assessed using standardized self-report measures administered before and after the intervention. The study examined whether participation in the intervention resulted in significant improvements compared with the wait-list control condition.

Conditions

Well-Being and Mental Health of the University Students Was Focus of the Study

Keywords

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Web-Based ACT Intervention; Psychological Flexibility; Well-Being; Quality of Life; Mindfulness; Randomized Controlled Trial; University Students; Pakistan

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in wellbeing scores measured by the WHO-Five-Well-being Index (WHO-5)

  Wellbeing was assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the eight-session web-based intervention.

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

• Change in mindfulness scores measured by the Five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ)

  Mindfulness was assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the eight-session web-based intervention.

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

• Change in Psychological Flexibility score measured by the Acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ-II)

  It was administered at baseline and immediately after completion of the eight-session web-based intervention.

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Quality of Life score measured by the WHOQOL

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

• Change in Academic Psychological Capital score measured by Academic Psychological Capital Questionnaire

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

• Change in Academic Engagement score measured by Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for students (UWES)

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

• Change in Mental Health score measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)

  Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Web-Based ACT Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received an eight-session web-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention designed to improve mindfulness, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, and quality of life

Behavioral: Web-based ACT intervention for University Students

Wait-list Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants were assigned to a wait-list control group and did not receive the intervention during the study period. They were offered the intervention after completion of the post-intervention assessment.

Interventions

Web-based ACT intervention for University Students BEHAVIORAL

Participants received an eight-session web-based intervention based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The intervention was delivered online and included psychoeducation, mindfulness meditation practices, breathing exercises, experiential activities, values clarification, acceptance and cognitive defusion exercises, present-moment awareness, self-as-context activities, committed action tasks, and weekly home practice assignments. Each session was designed to enhance mindfulness, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, and quality of life among university students

Web-Based ACT Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Undergraduate university students enrolled at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad.
• Aged 18 years or older. Able to read and understand English and Urdu (or the language used for the intervention and questionnaires).
• Willing to participate and provide written informed consent. Able to access the internet and complete the web-based intervention activities.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants currently receiving any psychological treatment or psychotherapy. Participants with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder that would interfere with participation.
• Participants unable to complete the web-based intervention or study assessments.
• Participants who did not provide informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National University of Modern Languages: lead

Study Sites (1)

National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad.

Islamabad, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

Location

Study Officials

• Asia Mushtaq

  National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the web-based ACT intervention group or a wait-list control group. Both groups completed baseline and post-intervention assessments. The intervention group received an eight-session web-based ACT program, while the wait-list control group received no intervention during the study period and was offered the intervention after study completion.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 1, 2026
• First Posted: August 10, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 10, 2024
• Study Completion: August 19, 2024
• Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)