Denna sida har översatts automatiskt och översättningens korrekthet kan inte garanteras. Vänligen se engelsk version för en källtext.

Testing the Effectiveness of Process Based Therapy in Routine Patient Care and Assessing Its Influence on Therapist Decision Making (PBACE)

9 juli 2026 uppdaterad av: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Stangier, Goethe University

Process Based Therapy Applicability, Effectiveness and Compatibility (PBACE). A Within Therapist Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Effectiveness of Process Based Therapy in Routine Patient Care and Assessing Its Influence on Therapist Decision Making

Background: Process Based Therapy (PBT) is a novel approach for a more personalized psychotherapy by integrating patient's ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data into treatment planning and focusing on empirically measured maladaptive processes. Previous pilot studies have examined the efficacy and feasibility of PBT in different settings. However, the effectiveness of this approach as well as the influence of providing EMA data on therapist's decision-making as well as treatment planning is yet unexplored.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PBT in a naturalistic setting as well examine the influence of the provision of EMA data on therapists' decision-making.

Methods: Thiry therapists as well as 60 patients will be recruited. Therapists will each treat two patients which are randomly allocated to either an intervention group receiving PBT or an active control group receiving routine psychotherapy. Treatment outcomes will be measured pre and post treatment as well as a 6-month follow-up. Therapists' decision making will be measured before training in PBT as well as during the treatment process using think aloud protocols (TAP) as well as quantitative measurements for decision making styles and self efficacy in decision making.

Discussion: This study could add insights into the ongoing research about the efficacy and effectiveness of PBT as well as provide insights into therapists' treatment decisions. While PBT holds theoretical promise for a more personalized and effective treatment, empirical data is still needed to assess its theoretical merit, which this study could provide. Expanding on the thus far scarce literature on decision-making in the therapeutic process, valuable information about processes guiding therapists' treatment decisions could be gained.

Studieöversikt

Status

Rekrytering

Betingelser

Intervention / Behandling

Studietyp

Interventionell

Inskrivning (Beräknad)

60

Fas

  • Inte tillämpbar

Kontakter och platser

Det här avsnittet innehåller kontaktuppgifter för dem som genomför studien och information om var denna studie genomförs.

Studiekontakt

Studieorter

  • Tyskland
    • Hesse
      • Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Tyskland, 60486
        • Rekrytering
        • JWGUniversity
        • Kontakt:
        • Huvudutredare:
          • Ulrich Stangier, PhD

Deltagandekriterier

Forskare letar efter personer som passar en viss beskrivning, så kallade behörighetskriterier. Några exempel på dessa kriterier är en persons allmänna hälsotillstånd eller tidigare behandlingar.

Urvalskriterier

Åldrar som är berättigade till studier

  • Vuxen
  • Äldre vuxen

Tar emot friska volontärer

Nej

Beskrivning

Inclusion Criteria:

  • A primary ICD-11 diagnosis of a depressive or anxiety disorder
  • Age 18-65 years
  • Sufficient knowledge of the German language
  • Participating patients are not required to discontinue medication, but to keep medication constant over the treatment period

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Increased suicidality
  • Substance abuse or dependency
  • diagnosis of a cluster A or B (DSM-5) personality disorder
  • pervasive developmental disorder, psychotic disorder, eating disorder, bipolar disorder, or severe physical illness.

Studieplan

Det här avsnittet ger detaljer om studieplanen, inklusive hur studien är utformad och vad studien mäter.

Hur är studien utformad?

Designdetaljer

  • Primärt syfte: Behandling
  • Tilldelning: Randomiserad
  • Interventionsmodell: Parallellt uppdrag
  • Maskning: Ingen (Open Label)

Vapen och interventioner

Deltagargrupp / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Experimentell: Process Based Psychotherapy (PBT)
In PBT, treatment planning is based on a dynamic network analysis of EMA data collected during the baseline phase. Therapists identify the central node, significant edges, self-loops, and feedback loops between the nodes. Using this information, interventions are selected based on empirical evidence for mechanisms of change that correspond to the network characteristics. These interventions are framed within an evolutionary framework as the variation, selection, and retention of an adaptive mode of the central node in relation to the specific context of the problem. The change in this key variable is monitored through daily judgments based on EMA. Treatment also focuses on additional targets to establish adaptive modes of the dimensions as defined in the positive network model. Concomitant medication is allowed and will be controlled by the study design.
Övrig: Process Based Psychotherapy (PBT)
Intervention planning based on the use of EMA data, feedback of dynamic network analysis and matching of interventions to central nodes of the network.
Andra namn:
  • Processbaserad terapi med ekologisk momentana bedömning
Läkemedel: Psychiatric medication kept constant over study duration
Psychiatric medication is kept constant during the trial. Participants are not required to take medication. If participants enlisting in the trial are on medication however, they will be asked to keep medication constant over the study duration
Aktiv komparator: Routine practice (r-PT)
In r-PT, as opposed to PBT, a naturalistic setting is retained for treatment decisions. Treatment planning follows traditional theories about the factors maintaining the disorder and interventions changing them, e.g. avoidance and exposure in anxiety disorders or reduced reinforcement of activities and behavioral activation in depression. Interventions are based on common treatment manuals related to diagnoses, e.g. CBT for depression. Individual data from the behavioral analysis are used to tailor the techniques to the individual problems of the patients. Treatment process is largely structured by personal preferences of the therapist due to experience, knowledge or recommendations of the National guidelines for the mental health problem.Concomitant medication is allowed and will be controlled by the study design.
Läkemedel: Psychiatric medication kept constant over study duration
Psychiatric medication is kept constant during the trial. Participants are not required to take medication. If participants enlisting in the trial are on medication however, they will be asked to keep medication constant over the study duration
Övrig: Routine practice
Intervention planning as usual.
Andra namn:
  • Routine psychotherapy

Vad mäter studien?

Primära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Depressive and anxiety symptom severity
Tidsram: Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
To assess Psychopathological Stress , the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) is used. The DASS-21 is a validated and reliable 21 item self-report instrument for the measurement of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, stress as a negative affective state is measured on an additional subscale. The scale ranges from 1-4 with higher mean values reflecting higher symptom severity in the respective subscale as well as an overall score of Psychopathological Stress.
Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Positive Mental Health and Quality of Life
Tidsram: Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Positive mental health and quality of Life will be measured using the positive mental health scale (PMH). The PMH is a validated nine-item self-report scale for the measurement of the presence of positive mental health. Scores range form 1-4 with higher mean scores reflecting a more positive mental health.
Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Therapist Decision Making
Tidsram: Assessed pre-training in PBT (Day 0), at Day 1 of treatment, after diagnosis (Day 2), after a hypothetical model is developed (Day 3), after EMA-Assessment is complete (Week-6) and every four weeks during the treatment phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22).
Therapist Decision Making regarding treatment planning will be measured using think-aloud protocols (TAP). The think-aloud method is usually used to measure decision making in cognitive tasks such as problem solving, where participants are instructed to "think-aloud" meaning to verbalize their thoughts during a cognitive task. In this study, therapists will be instructed to verbalize their treatment planning at nine measurement points.
Assessed pre-training in PBT (Day 0), at Day 1 of treatment, after diagnosis (Day 2), after a hypothetical model is developed (Day 3), after EMA-Assessment is complete (Week-6) and every four weeks during the treatment phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22).

Sekundära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Client satisfaction
Tidsram: Assessed at post-treatment (week 28).
Patient satisfaction at the end of treatment, measured with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ). The CSQ uses 8 items with a range of 1-4 with higher mean values reflecting higher satisfaction with the recieved treatment.
Assessed at post-treatment (week 28).
Patient and Therapist Attitude Towards EMA-Assessment
Tidsram: Assessed at intermediate (week 6) and post-treatment (week 28) (PAUEN). Assessed at intermediate (week 6) and every four weeks in Treatment Phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22) (TAUEN)
the therapist attitudes toward the utility of the EMA and networks scale (TAUEN) and the patient attitudes toward the utility of the EMA and networks scale (PAUEN) are modified versions of the Therapist and Client Attitudes Measures. minimum value= 8, maximum value= 40, higher scores mean a higher attitude toward EMA and networks regarding their utility.
Assessed at intermediate (week 6) and post-treatment (week 28) (PAUEN). Assessed at intermediate (week 6) and every four weeks in Treatment Phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22) (TAUEN)
Therapist Treatment Evaluation
Tidsram: Assessed at intermediate (week 6) and every four weeks in the treatment phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22).
The Treatment Evaluation Inventory will be used to assess therapists' perceptions of treatment. It consists of 14 statements that are evaluated on a 7-point Likert scale, with response options spanning from -3 (strongly disagree) to +3 (strongly agree). A higher mean score reflects a higher attitude towards the given treatment (e.g. PBT or routine care)
Assessed at intermediate (week 6) and every four weeks in the treatment phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22).
Self-Efficacy
Tidsram: Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Perceived general self-efficacy, meaning an optimistic self-belief that one can perform difficult or novel tasks or cope with adversity is measured by the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). The GSE is a 10-item self-report questionnaire with a validated one factor structure. The GSE ranges from 1-4 with a higher mean score reflecting higher self-efficacy.
Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Decisional Self-Efficacy
Tidsram: Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Decision making self-efficacy is measured using the Decision Self-Efficacy Scale. The DSE is an 11-item self-report instrument measuring self-efficacy in the domain of treatment decisions. The DSE ranges from 0-4 with higher mean scores reflecting a higher confidence and self-efficacy in treatment decisions.
Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate), assessed at post-treatment (week 28) and assessed at a six-month follow-up.
Therapeutic Alliance
Tidsram: Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate) and assessed at post-treatment (week 28).
Therapeutic Alliance is measured at patient level using the Working Alliance Inventory Short Revised Patient Version (WAI-SR-P). The WAI-SR-P measures therapeutic alliance from the patient's perspective using 12 items as a self report ranging from 1-5 with higher mean scores reflecting a stronger and more positive working alliance as perceived by the patient.
Assessed after randomization (Day 1), after completion of the EMA baseline phase (6-Week intermediate) and assessed at post-treatment (week 28).
Therapist Decision Making Style
Tidsram: Assessed pre-training in PBT (Day 0), at Day 1 of treatment, after diagnosis (Day 2), after a hypothetical model is developed (Day 3), after EMA-Assessment is complete (Week-6) and every four weeks during the treatment phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22).
Therapists' Decision Making Styles will be measured using the therapist decision making questionnaire (TDMQ). The TDMQ is a self-report scale measuring therapists' decision-making style using 23 items on a scale from 1 to 5. Higher mean scores on a specific subscale reflect a decision style that puts a higher emphasis on the sources of information belonging to that specific decision making style.
Assessed pre-training in PBT (Day 0), at Day 1 of treatment, after diagnosis (Day 2), after a hypothetical model is developed (Day 3), after EMA-Assessment is complete (Week-6) and every four weeks during the treatment phase (Weeks 10, 14, 18 and 22).

Samarbetspartners och utredare

Det är här du hittar personer och organisationer som är involverade i denna studie.

Sponsor

Goethe University

Utredare

  • Huvudutredare: Ulrich Stangier, PhD, Goethe Universität Frankfurt

Publikationer och användbara länkar

Den som ansvarar för att lägga in information om studien tillhandahåller frivilligt dessa publikationer. Dessa kan handla om allt som har med studien att göra.

Allmänna publikationer

Användbara länkar

Studieavstämningsdatum

Dessa datum spårar framstegen för inlämningar av studieposter och sammanfattande resultat till ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieposter och rapporterade resultat granskas av National Library of Medicine (NLM) för att säkerställa att de uppfyller specifika kvalitetskontrollstandarder innan de publiceras på den offentliga webbplatsen.

Studera stora datum

Studiestart (Beräknad)

27 juni 2026

Primärt slutförande (Beräknad)

1 januari 2029

Avslutad studie (Beräknad)

1 januari 2029

Studieregistreringsdatum

Först inskickad

22 juni 2026

Först inskickad som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

9 juli 2026

Första postat (Faktisk)

15 juli 2026

Uppdateringar av studier

Senaste uppdatering publicerad (Faktisk)

15 juli 2026

Senaste inskickade uppdateringen som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

9 juli 2026

Senast verifierad

1 juli 2026

Mer information

Termer relaterade till denna studie

Nyckelord

Ytterligare relevanta MeSH-villkor

Andra studie-ID-nummer

  • 2026-00-PBACE

Plan för individuella deltagardata (IPD)

Planerar du att dela individuella deltagardata (IPD)?

JA

IPD-planbeskrivning

Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in the main publication of outcomes, after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices) will be shared. Further Study Protocol, Analysis Plan, Informed Consent Form and Analytic Code will be shared to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal.

Tidsram för IPD-delning

Beginning 3 months and ending 5 years following article publication. Data are available for 5 years at the Open Science Forum under: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TVKMQ

Kriterier för IPD Sharing Access

Proposals should be directed to stangier@psych.uni-frankfurt.de. To gain access, data requestors will need to sign a data access agreement.

IPD-delning som stöder informationstyp

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAV
  • ICF
  • ANALYTIC_CODE

Läkemedels- och apparatinformation, studiedokument

Studerar en amerikansk FDA-reglerad läkemedelsprodukt

Nej

Studerar en amerikansk FDA-reglerad produktprodukt

Nej

Denna information hämtades direkt från webbplatsen clinicaltrials.gov utan några ändringar. Om du har några önskemål om att ändra, ta bort eller uppdatera dina studieuppgifter, vänligen kontakta register@clinicaltrials.gov. Så snart en ändring har implementerats på clinicaltrials.gov, kommer denna att uppdateras automatiskt även på vår webbplats .

Prenumerera