View in EDS

A systematic review of patient-therapist synchrony as an indicator of emotion regulation in psychotherapy: an integrated approach

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: A systematic review of patient-therapist synchrony as an indicator of emotion regulation in psychotherapy: an integrated approach
Authors: Federica Ameli, Federico Abbarchi Minucci, Ludovica Zanini, Gioele Calmi, Grazia Fernanda Spitoni
Source: Research in Psychotherapy, Vol 28, Iss 2 (2025)
Publisher Information: PAGEPress Publications, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Psychology
Subject Terms: Psychotherapy, emotion regulation, interpersonal synchrony, synchronization, interpersonal processes, Psychology, BF1-990
Description: Interpersonal synchrony is increasingly being studied in the context of psychotherapy. The Interpersonal Synchrony (In-Sync) model proposes that patient-therapist synchrony enhances working alliance by promoting emotion regulation (ER). While the link between synchrony and working alliance has been extensively described, its relation to ER in the clinical setting remains underexplored. The present systematic review, therefore, aimed to address this gap by providing a qualitative synthesis of the methods employed and the results reported by studies investigating the relationship between patient-therapist synchrony and ER. A comprehensive search yielded seven studies (out of an initial 2,094), published between 2007 and 2024, encompassing 828 participants (563 patients and 265 therapists). Despite finding highly heterogeneous conceptual frameworks and methodologies employed to assess both synchrony (e.g., motion energy analysis [MEA], electrocardiogram, skin conductance) and ER (e.g., self-report questionnaires and behavioral coding systems), the studies’ results revealed a predominantly positive association between synchrony and ER, with in-phase synchrony linked to improved emotional stability and positive emotional experiences. Nonetheless, two studies presented contrasting results, either suggesting a more complex dynamic of co-regulation or finding no direct relationship between nonverbal synchrony and emotional self-regulation. Additionally, a notable research gap was revealed regarding older adults, as no studies included participants over 61 years. Overall, this systematic review highlights the lack of standardized methods and conceptual ambiguity surrounding ER, ultimately limiting cross-study comparability, as well as emphasizing the multiple roles of synchrony in psychotherapy and the need for further research to establish methodological coherence and theoretical consensus in this field.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2499-7552
2239-8031
Relation: https://www.researchinpsychotherapy.org/rpsy/article/view/866; https://doaj.org/toc/2499-7552; https://doaj.org/toc/2239-8031
DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2025.866
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/181ed23973ad4f8991d1f49d7800fc5a
Accession Number: edsdoj.181ed23973ad4f8991d1f49d7800fc5a
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Interpersonal synchrony is increasingly being studied in the context of psychotherapy. The Interpersonal Synchrony (In-Sync) model proposes that patient-therapist synchrony enhances working alliance by promoting emotion regulation (ER). While the link between synchrony and working alliance has been extensively described, its relation to ER in the clinical setting remains underexplored. The present systematic review, therefore, aimed to address this gap by providing a qualitative synthesis of the methods employed and the results reported by studies investigating the relationship between patient-therapist synchrony and ER. A comprehensive search yielded seven studies (out of an initial 2,094), published between 2007 and 2024, encompassing 828 participants (563 patients and 265 therapists). Despite finding highly heterogeneous conceptual frameworks and methodologies employed to assess both synchrony (e.g., motion energy analysis [MEA], electrocardiogram, skin conductance) and ER (e.g., self-report questionnaires and behavioral coding systems), the studies’ results revealed a predominantly positive association between synchrony and ER, with in-phase synchrony linked to improved emotional stability and positive emotional experiences. Nonetheless, two studies presented contrasting results, either suggesting a more complex dynamic of co-regulation or finding no direct relationship between nonverbal synchrony and emotional self-regulation. Additionally, a notable research gap was revealed regarding older adults, as no studies included participants over 61 years. Overall, this systematic review highlights the lack of standardized methods and conceptual ambiguity surrounding ER, ultimately limiting cross-study comparability, as well as emphasizing the multiple roles of synchrony in psychotherapy and the need for further research to establish methodological coherence and theoretical consensus in this field.
ISSN:24997552
22398031
DOI:10.4081/ripppo.2025.866