Diagnostic Features of Nonverbal Synchrony in Psychotherapy: Comparing Depression and Anxiety

Paulick, Jane; Rubel, Julian; Deisenhofer, Anne‐Katharina; Schwartz, Brian; Thielemann, Désirée; Altmann, Uwe; Boyle, Kaitlyn; Strauß, Bernhard; Lutz, Wolfgang

doi:10.1007/s10608-018-9914-9

Cited by 40 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The cross correlation function (CCF) was averaged across windows, and the maximal correlation was used as the synchrony index level (for a similar approach, see Bar‐Kalifa et al, 2019). These parameters (duration of windows; maximum value of correlation) were in line with those suggested by Altmann et al (2019), while the numeric quantification of synchrony followed the steps described in Paulick, Deisenhofer, et al (2018) and Paulick, Rubel, et al (2018), based on cross‐correlation.…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 77%

Within and between associations of nonverbal synchrony in relation to Grawe's general mechanisms of change

Prinz

Boyle

Ramseyer

et al. 2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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The examination of nonverbal synchrony has become a promising line of psychotherapy research. Although several studies have found between‐dyad associations between nonverbal synchrony and multidimensional outcomes, the findings remain heterogeneous, and within‐dyad effects remain to be investigated. The present study examines within and between effects of nonverbal synchrony on mastery, resource activation, problem actuation, and motivational clarification (Grawe's general mechanisms of change). Four‐hundred and twenty‐three videotaped sessions of 175 patients were analysed using motion energy analysis (MEA), providing values to quantify nonverbal synchrony in the patient–therapist dyad. Grawe's general mechanisms of change in psychotherapy were rated using the Inventory of Therapeutic Interventions and Skills (ITIS). On average, patient–therapist nonverbal synchrony was greater than chance. Hierarchical linear modelling revealed that nonverbal synchrony was significantly associated with higher mastery and less resource activation on the within‐dyad level. Nonverbal synchrony was not associated with problem actuation or motivational clarification, and in general, no associations were found on the between‐dyad level. The results demonstrate the importance of disentangling within and between effects of nonverbal synchrony and provide initial evidence that nonverbal synchrony is tied to the specific therapeutic strategies observed in psychotherapy sessions.

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Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 77%

Within and between associations of nonverbal synchrony in relation to Grawe's general mechanisms of change

Prinz

Boyle

Ramseyer

et al. 2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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“…While some studies have examined neurophysiological measures such as EEG, this is not an area that has been widely explored in the psychotherapeutic context (Stratford et al 2012). In studies that examined physiological coordination over time, no clear pattern across studies was identified except that the strength of the coordination changes both within and across sessions (Di Mascio et al 1955;Stratford et al 2012Stratford et al , 2014 and that coordination levels in early sessions may be related to diagnoses (Paulick et al 2018b), symptom reduction (Borelli et al 2019), and dropout (Paulick et al 2018a). Further, physiological coordination was primarily linked to measures of empathy and emotion (Marci et al 2007;Marci and Orr 2006;Messina et al 2013) with no direct links between physiological coordination and psychotherapy outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpersonal Coordination Dynamics in Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review

et al. 2020

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Background The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of interpersonal coordination (i.e., covariation over time) in different modalities (e.g., physiology, language) during psychotherapy and their importance for understanding the dynamics of psychotherapeutic interaction and efficacy. Methods We conducted a systematic review of all studies examining some form of interpersonal coordination in a psychotherapeutic context. Results We first summarize details of the included studies such as gender composition, therapy types, and methods used. The collation of these studies provided evidence that, during psychotherapeutic contexts, interpersonal coordination occurs in physiology, movements, interpersonal displays, and language/vocalizations. Further, it also showed that movement coordination was most frequently associated with psychotherapy outcomes, physiological coordination was most frequently associated with empathy, and coordination in a variety of modalities including language/vocalizations were most frequently associated with therapeutic alliance. Conclusions We discuss these results, shortcomings with the current literature, and highlight three crucial questions for future research. Research on interpersonal coordination in psychotherapy has potential to advance the both the research and practice of psychotherapy.

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“…Some of the existing literature on nonverbal synchrony suggests that an increase of synchrony is associated with better relationship quality (Ramseyer & Tschacher, ), positive affect (Tschacher et al , ), and appears to be linked with dyads characterized by high affiliative complementarity (Lozza et al , ). Other studies failed to find clear associations with affect (Paxton & Dale, ) or indicated that an optimal level of synchrony would lie somewhere in between the extremes of low versus high synchrony (Paulick, Deisenhofer et al , ), and that synchrony was dependent on patient's diagnosis (Paulick, Rubel et al , ). In the present sample, synchrony was importantly influenced by inOT/PL, diagnosis, and self‐reported childhood trauma.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring nonverbal synchrony in borderline personality disorder: A double‐blind placebo‐controlled study using oxytocin

Ramseyer

Ebert

Roser

et al. 2019

British J Clinic Psychol

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Objectives. Interpersonal dysfunction is a central feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD), and the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has been shown to impact patients' behaviour in numerous ways. Nonverbal signals such as the coordination of body movement (nonverbal synchrony) are associated with the success of interpersonal exchanges and could thus be influenced by features of BPD and by the administration of OT.Design. We explored the effect of intranasal OT (inOT) on nonverbal synchrony in sixteen patients with BPD and fifteen healthy controls (CTL) randomly assigned to two double-blind clinical interviews under inOT and placebo (PL).Methods. Nonverbal synchrony was assessed by automated video-analyses of subject's and interviewer's body movement. Lagged cross-correlations were used to objectively quantify coordination in dyads.Results. Synchrony was higher than pseudosynchrony (= synchrony expected by chance), and there was a differential effect of inOT between groups: While healthy controls displayed increased synchrony under inOT, patients with BPD showed low levels of synchrony under inOT. Additionally, patient's synchrony was negatively associated with self-reported childhood trauma.

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Diagnostic Features of Nonverbal Synchrony in Psychotherapy: Comparing Depression and Anxiety

Cited by 40 publications

References 56 publications

Within and between associations of nonverbal synchrony in relation to Grawe's general mechanisms of change

Within and between associations of nonverbal synchrony in relation to Grawe's general mechanisms of change

Interpersonal Coordination Dynamics in Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review

Exploring nonverbal synchrony in borderline personality disorder: A double‐blind placebo‐controlled study using oxytocin

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