Clinical trial NCT04302844: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Relationship Disorder
Lead sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2020-03-10
Enrollment: 132
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The primary goal of this study, A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy, is to evaluate the efficacy of Imago Relationship Therapy, a form of couples therapy.

Detailed description: Imago relationship therapy (IRT; Hendrix, 2008) is an integrative approach to couples therapy that has been practiced and extensively disseminated for more than 30 years. IRT may be delivered through traditional therapy with a couple, or the Imago principles and skills may be taught to couples through the "Getting the Love You Want" Workshop (GTLYW Workshop), a manualized, 2-day, psychoeducational workshop conducted by certified presenters to groups of couples. The present study is a RCT designed to examine the efficacy of IRT for couples experiencing distress in their committed romantic relationships, and to extend the findings of previous research. Seventy-two (72) couples with relationship distress will be recruited for the study. Couples will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Imago therapy alone or bibliotherapy, a control condition, in which couples will be given a self-help book on dyadic communication to read during a 12-week waiting period, followed by a GTLYW workshop.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Straight or LGBTQ couples; both members at least 18 years of age
2. Ability to speak and understand, and read and write, in English language
3. Married/cohabitating for a minimum of 1 year
4. Currently experiencing relationship distress
5. Interest in improving relationship satisfaction/have no immediate plans to terminate the relationship
6. Willingness to participate in study procedures via telehealth and access to the equipment and pricacy required to do so.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current alcohol or substance dependence (with active use) in one or both partners
2. Serious suicidal ideation and behavior in one or both partners (i.e., ideation with plan or intent)
3. Current physical violence or partner abuse
4. One or both partners currently involved in a secret affair (i.e., the partner is unaware of this relationship)
5. Current couples-focused psychotherapy treatment that is on-going
6. Couple received IRT or GTLYW workshop within the past 5 years

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Relationship Quality Interview (RQI)
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in Marital Adjustment Test (MAT)
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change in Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS)
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in Davis Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ)
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in Couple Satisfaction Inventory -16
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS SR-16) (Rush, Trivedi, Ibrahim, Carmody, Arnow, Klein, et al., 2003)
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD 7; Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, 2006).
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in PROMIS Item Bank v1.1 Emotional Distress - Anger Short form 5a
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in PROMIS Item Bank v1.0 Global Satisfaction with Sex
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
measure: Change in PROMIS Item Bank v1.2 Global Health
timeFrame: 3 to 4 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: Mood and Anxiety Disorders Treatment & Research Program
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
References: