Can coloring mandalas help reduce overthinking and loneliness in junior high school students?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17656735 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17656735 |
| Sponsor | Jilin Normal University |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded |
- Submission date
- 13/01/2026
- Registration date
- 19/01/2026
- Last edited
- 14/01/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year
Plain English summary of protocol
Plain English summary of protocol not provided at time of registration.
Contact information
Dr Jun Zhao
Scientific, Public, Principal investigator
Scientific, Public, Principal investigator
College of Education Science, Jilin Normal University
Siping
136000
China
| Phone | +86 17684330450 |
|---|---|
| zhaojun0450@163.com |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional | |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation | Non-randomized controlled trial | |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) | |
| Control | Placebo | |
| Assignment | Parallel | |
| Purpose | Prevention | |
| Participant information sheet | 48818_Consent to Participate.pdf | |
| Scientific title | Structured Mandala Drawing Therapy to reduce rumination and loneliness in junior high school students: a randomized controlled trial | |
| Study acronym | MDRL | |
| Study objectives | This study wants to find out if an 8-week group colouring activity using simple circle-pattern pictures (mandalas) can help junior-high-school students worry less and feel less lonely. | |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 21/04/2025, Jilin Normal University Science and Technology Ethics Committee (College of Education Science, Jilin Normal University, 1301 Haifeng Street, Tiexi District, Siping, 136000, China; +86-434-329-1234; 1399428957@qq.com), ref: LJLL20250407 | |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Adolescent rumination and loneliness | |
| Intervention | Participants in the intervention group will receive eight weekly 40-minute Mandala Drawing Therapy sessions delivered in groups of 8–10 students. Each session follows a structured theme (Protection, Differentiation, Cohesion, Integration, Guidance, Transcendence, Enlightenment, Review) and includes choosing pre-printed mandala patterns, colouring with provided pens while calming background music is played, and sharing reflections. No additional homework or materials are required. | |
| Intervention type | Behavioural | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
| |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | ||
| Completion date | 30/07/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 12 Years |
| Upper age limit | 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 60 |
| Total final enrolment | 60 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Grades 7–9 junior high school students 2. Age 12–15 years 3. Signed informed consent by student and parent 4. Not receiving other formal psychological intervention 5. No developmental disability or severe mental illness |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Diagnosed developmental disability 2. Severe mental illness precluding group activities 3. Concurrent participation in other formal psychological interventions 4. Refusal to provide informed consent by student or guardian |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/06/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 02/08/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Chinese | 14/01/2026 | No | Yes | |
| Protocol file | 14/01/2026 | No | No |
Additional files
- 48818_Consent to Participate.pdf
- Chinese
- 48818_Protocol.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
14/01/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Jilin Normal University Science and Technology Ethics Committee, China.
