Exploring the Suitability of Movement and Sound in Couple Therapy: A Proof-of-Concept Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The present phase-IIA waiting-list controlled proof-of-concept trial aims to explore the adequacy of immediate sound feedback for physical distance and touch between individuals as a potential means to complement existing methods in couple therapy. The results obtained will determine the design of a subsequent phase-IIB randomized controlled trial.

Detailed Description
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According to early 20th century psychoanalysis, the unsaid becomes apparent in the relationship between patient and therapist, as well as in metaphors and symbols revealed through unintended utterances, imaginative techniques, and dreams. To convey emotions and thoughts, this method relies on the use of spoken language. Likewise, spoken language remains central to the practice of psychotherapy in subsequent decades, as clinicians and researchers sought to translate and transform major claims of psychoanalysis into newer paradigms, the most prominent of them being cognitive-behavioral, client-centered and family-systems psychotherapy. Inspired by somatic psychology and neuroscience evidence, more recent approaches focus on body and movement to target the unsaid beyond spoken language. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Sentire project attempts to provide immediate sound feedback for physical distance and touch between individuals (www.sentire.me). The present phase-IIA waiting-list controlled proof-of-concept trial aims to explore the adequacy of Sentire as a potential means to complement existing methods in couple therapy. The results obtained will determine the design of a subsequent phase-IIB randomized controlled trial.

Official Title
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Exploring the Suitability of Movement and Sound in Couple Therapy: A Proof-of-Concept Trial

Conditions
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Depression

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Music-based couple therapy.


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: In couple relationship for at least six months; Living in shared household or close daily contact. Exclusion Criteria: Currently acute episode of any mental disorder.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Music-based couple therapy.<br>Each couple will receive five treatment sessions, including established methods from client-centered and family-systems psychotherapy as well as Sentire, a technological approach providing immediate sound feedback for physical distance and touch. Duration of the treatment phase: five weeks. | Behavioral: Music-based couple therapy.<br>* Each couple will receive five treatment sessions, including established methods from client-centered and family-systems psychotherapy as well as Sentire, a technological approach providing immediate sound feedback for physical distance and touch. Duration of the treatment phase: five weeks.<br>|
| No Intervention: Waiting list.<br>Each couple will go through an initial waiting period before the treatment phase. Duration of the waiting period: five weeks. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Couples Satisfaction Index, CSI-32. | This self-report questionnaire was conceived to quantify various aspects of a person's satisfaction in a couple relationship on a Likert scale ranging from 0 (very low satisfaction) to 6 (very high satisfaction). | Change on the CSI-32, as determined by scores on this outcome measure at the beginning, immediately at the end of the five-week treatment phase or five-week waiting-list period, and at 12-month follow-up. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Beck's Depression Inventory, BDI-II. | This self-report measure of depression severity is known for its good psychometric properties, including construct validity and test-retest reliability. | Change on the BDI-II, as determined by scores on this outcome measure at the beginning, immediately at the end of the five-week treatment phase or five-week waiting-list period, and at 12-month follow-up. | 
| Change in ICD-10 Symptom Rating, ISR. | This self-report measure based on the ICD-10 criteria of mental disorders serves as a screening instrument for psychological syndromes. | Change on the ISR, as determined by scores on this outcome measure at the beginning, immediately at the end of the five-week treatment phase or five-week waiting-list period, and at 12-month follow-up. |