CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT06038747Updated Nov 20, 2024

Self-monitoring and Reflection's Impact on Psychotherapy Outcomes: A Trial Protocol.

An interventional study of Self-Monitoring and Individual Psychotherapy in Psychotherapy, Therapeutic Alliance and Psychological, sponsored by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 99 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-20.

Sponsored by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
520
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 99 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the influence of a brief post-session battery, designed to foster patient self-monitoring and reflection on their emotional reactions toward their psychotherapist, on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and treatment outcomes.

Read the detailed description

The quality of the therapeutic relationship is critical in determining psychotherapy outcomes. However, facilitating patients' self-awareness and reflection on their affective responses to their therapist remains understudied as a potential tool for enhancing this relationship and subsequent treatment outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of a brief post-session battery, designed to foster patient self-monitoring and reflection on their emotional reactions toward their psychotherapist, on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and treatment outcomes. Using an observational 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 the Qualtrics online survey software and span baseline, mid-trial (5th week), and end-of-trial (10th week) assessments.

02

Conditions studied

  • Psychotherapy
  • Therapeutic Alliance
  • Psychological

Keywords

  • Therapeutic Relationship
  • Routine Outcome Monitoring
  • Self-Monitoring and Reflection
  • Psychotherapy Outcome
  • Client Feedback
03

In context

Lead sponsor

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is the lead sponsor of 1,340 studies on the registry; 133 are open to participants now.

Of its 155 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 136 (88%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 99 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • being aged 18 years or older,
  • being fluent in English,
  • being currently under individual psychotherapy with a minimum frequency of two sessions per month.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • having a legal guardian.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
520 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Individual Psychotherapy + Self-Monitoring

    Participants in the intervention group will continue their regular individual psychotherapy sessions. Additionally, after each session, they will complete a brief postsession battery consisting of two scales on the affective reactions of the participants towards their therapist during session and read general feedback encouraging them to discuss their feelings and reflections with their therapist. This questionnaire aims to prompt reflection on the own experience of the therapeutic relationship.

    Other: Self-Monitoring · Other: Individual Psychotherapy

  • Active comparator
    Individual Psychotherapy

    Participants in the control group will receive only treatment as usual (i.e., individual psychotherapy) sand and will not complete post-session questionnaires. Additionally, they will not receive any feedback at all encouraging them to discuss their emotional responses with their therapist during the session.

    Other: Individual Psychotherapy

Interventions

  • OtherSelf-Monitoring

    The post-session battery consists of two self-report scales measuring both positive and negative affective reactions of the participants toward their therapist during the therapy session. The general feedback is a brief text that encourages participants to share and discuss their feelings and reflections with their therapist.

  • OtherIndividual Psychotherapy

    Individual psychotherapy sessions

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Total score) from baseline to 5 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a 34-item self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. Total score ranges 0-136. Higher scores represent poorer overall functioning.

    Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks

  2. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Total score) from baseline to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a 34-item self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. Total score ranges 0-136. Higher scores represent poorer overall functioning.

    Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks

  3. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Total score) from 5 weeks to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a 34-item self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. Total score ranges 0-136. Higher scores represent poorer overall functioning.

    Time frame: 5 weeks, 10 weeks.

  4. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Subjective well-being deficits) from baseline to 5 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The subjective well-being subscale score ranges 0-16). Higher scores represent poorer subjective well-being.

    Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks.

  5. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Subjective well-being deficits) from baseline to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The subjective well-being subscale score ranges 0-16). Higher scores represent poorer subjective well-being.

    Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks.

  6. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Subjective well-being deficits) from 5 weeks to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The subjective well-being subscale score ranges 0-16). Higher scores represent poorer subjective well-being.

    Time frame: 5 weeks, 10 weeks.

  7. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Problems/symptoms) from baseline to 5 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The problems/symptoms subscale score ranges 0-48). Higher scores represent greater problems/symptoms.

    Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks.

  8. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Problems/symptoms) from baseline to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The problems/symptoms subscale score ranges 0-48). Higher scores represent greater problems/symptoms.

    Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks.

  9. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Problems/symptoms) from 5 weeks to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The problems/symptoms subscale score ranges 0-48). Higher scores represent greater problems/symptoms.

    Time frame: 5 weeks, 10 weeks.

  10. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Life functioning difficulties) from baseline to 5 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The life functioning difficulties subscale score ranges 0-48). Higher scores represent greater life functioning difficulties.

    Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks.

  11. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Life functioning difficulties) from baseline to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The life functioning difficulties subscale score ranges 0-48). Higher scores represent greater life functioning difficulties.

    Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks.

  12. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Life functioning difficulties) from 5 weeks to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The life functioning difficulties subscale score ranges 0-48). Higher scores represent greater life functioning difficulties.

    Time frame: 5 weeks, 10 weeks.

  13. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Risk/harm) from baseline to 5 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The risk/harm subscale score ranges 0-26). Higher scores represent greater risk/harm.

    Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks.

  14. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Risk/harm) from baseline to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The risk/harm subscale score ranges 0-26). Higher scores represent greater risk/harm.

    Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks.

  15. Change in Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (Risk/harm) from 5 weeks to 10 weeks

    Measure of psychological distress devised to be administered during a course of psychotherapeutic treatment to determine treatment response. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a self-report measure of change in psychotherapy. The risk/harm subscale score ranges 0-26). Higher scores represent greater risk/harm.

    Time frame: 5 weeks, 10 weeks.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Real Relationship Inventory-Client-Short form (Total score)

    Measure of the real relationship between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Real Relationship Inventory-Client-Short form (RRI-C-SF) is an 8-item self-report measure of the quality of the real relationship and includes two subscales: Genuineness and Realism, both of which represent closely related dimensions of authenticity and perceptual accuracy within the therapeutic relationship. Total score ranges 0-40. Higher scores represent better quality of the real relationship. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  2. Real Relationship Inventory-Client-Short form (Genuineness)

    Measure of the real relationship between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Real Relationship Inventory-Client-Short form (RRI-C-SF) is an 8-item self-report measure of the quality of the real relationship and includes two subscales: Genuineness and Realism, both of which represent closely related dimensions of authenticity and perceptual accuracy within the therapeutic relationship. The Genuineness subscale (3 items) score ranges 0-20. Higher scores represent higher perceived genuineness. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  3. Real Relationship Inventory-Client-Short form (Realism)

    Measure of the real relationship between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Real Relationship Inventory-Client-Short form (RRI-C-SF) is an 8-item self-report measure of the quality of the real relationship and includes two subscales: Genuineness and Realism, both of which represent closely related dimensions of authenticity and perceptual accuracy within the therapeutic relationship. The Realism subscale (4 items) score range 0-20. Higher scores represent higher perceived realism. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  4. Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (Total score)

    Measure of the working alliance between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR) is a 12-item self-report measure of the quality of the working alliance and includes three subscales: goal, task, and bond. Total score ranges 0-72. Higher scores indicate a stronger alliance. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  5. Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (Goal)

    Measure of the working alliance between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR) is a 12-item self-report measure of the quality of the working alliance. The Goal subscale (3 items) score ranges 0-18. Higher scores indicate a stronger agreement on the tasks of therapy. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  6. Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (Task)

    Measure of the working alliance between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR) is a 12-item self-report measure of the quality of the working alliance. The Task subscale score (3 items) ranges 0-18. Higher scores indicate a stronger agreement on the tasks of therapy. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  7. Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (Bond)

    Measure of the working alliance between a therapist and participant from the participant's viewpoint. The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR) is a 12-item self-report measure of the quality of the working alliance. The Bond subscale score (3 items) ranges 0-18. Higher scores indicate a stronger affective bond between the patient and the therapist. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

  8. Number of sessions missed or canceled

    Number of scheduled psychotherapy sessions that have been missed or canceled by the participant. It will be assessed at baseline, mid-trial (5 weeks), and end-of-trial (10 weeks).

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks.

07

Study locations

2 sites
  • Researchforme.Unc.Edu
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
  • Researchmatch.Org
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf, Csr, Analytic code

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 20, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06038747
Lead sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Collaborators
University of Pavia, European Commission
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Sep 15, 2023
Start date
Sep 15, 2023
Primary completion
Jan 23, 2024
Completion
Jan 23, 2024
Last update
Nov 20, 2024

Study contacts

Alberto Stefana, PhD
principal investigator · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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