Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 11, 2023
Date Accepted: Jan 30, 2024
Enhance psychotherapy outcomes by encouraging patients to regularly self-monitor, reflect on, and share their affective responses toward their therapist: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
The quality of the therapeutic relationship is pivotal in determining psychotherapy outcomes. However, facilitating patients' self-awareness and reflection on their affective responses to their therapist remains underexplored as a potential tool for enhancing this relationship and subsequent treatment outcomes.
Objective:
The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of a brief post-session battery, which is appropriate to foster patient self-monitoring and reflection on their emotional reactions toward their psychotherapist, on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and treatment outcomes.
Methods:
Using a randomized control trial design, participants will be allocated into intervention and control groups. Those in the intervention group will complete a postsession battery following each therapy session, while the control group will only undergo regular treatment. Data collection will be facilitated through Qualtrics and span baseline, mid-trial (5th week), and end-of-trial (10th week) assessments.
Results:
Not Applicable
Conclusions:
This study could reveal key information on how regular introspection and self-monitoring can improve the therapeutic relationship and improve overall treatment outcomes. Findings have the potential to shape interventions, enhancing the efficacy of psychotherapeutic sessions, and possibly offering a cost-effective strategy for improving patient well-being. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06038747. Funding: European Union’s Horizon 2020. Trial status: Recruitment is ongoing.
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