Synchrony and Reciprocity of Body Movements and Prosody Between Psychotherapist and Patient

Modern psychotherapy focuses on co-regulation, where therapist and patient interactively manage emotions. This co-regulation is seen in nonverbal communication like facial expressions, gestures, and prosody (vocal pitchs). Studies show body movements and even skin conductance synchronize between patients and therapists during sessions. The RECiPROsody project builds on this by using technology (cameras, sensors) to record and analyze these synchronies in psychotherapy sessions. This project aims to understand how this "attunement" between therapist and patient contributes to successful therapy. Researchers will explore how patients and therapists interact using a mobile app that records video, audio, physiological signals (heart rate), and movements. Questionnaires will assess patient well-being and therapist experience. By studying these micro-processes, RECiPROsody hopes to gain insights into how the therapeutic relationship develops, including the connections between physical reactions, nonverbal communication, and overall progress. This knowledge can improve psychotherapeutic techniques and highlight the importance of the nonverbal communication in therapy.

NCT Number	NCT06463951
Lead Sponsor	Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica Collaborators: Istituto di Gestalt HCC Italy - Centro Clinico e di Ricerca in Psicoterapia HCC Italy
Conditions	Relationship, Professional Patient
Enrollment	30 participants
Start Date	2024-10-01
Primary Completion	2026-04-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-09-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-05-01