NCT06749392: SynSig

An Individual-specific Synchrony Signature

Recruiting now NA Last updated 24 November 2025

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Supportive-expressive treatment in Major Depressive Disorder in 78 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

22 November 2025

Primary endpoint
30 March 2030

30 March 2030

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Haifa
Phase	NA
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	double
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	78
Start date	22 November 2025
Primary completion	30 March 2030
Estimated completion	30 March 2030
Sites	1 location across Israel

Drugs / interventions tested

• Supportive-expressive treatment

Conditions studied

• Major Depressive Disorder — all drugs for Major Depressive Disorder →

Sponsor

University of Haifa

Who can join

Adults 18 to 65, any sex, with Major Depressive Disorder. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

This study aims to establish synchrony as an individual-specific mechanism of therapeutic change and offers novel insights into the mechanisms of curative interpersonal processes. The study identifies individual-specific trait-like synchrony signature and investigates the associations between synchrony signature, the individual's trait-like characteristics, and mental health, among participants diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. The study further investigates how deterministic the trait-like synchrony signature is by identifying for whom, how, and when changes are anticipated. Additionally, it examines whether synchrony signature transfers to relationships with the therapist, whether and how it changes throughout treatment, and whether such potential changes are associated with improvements in mental health. Synchrony is recognized as a key driver of collaborative, affiliative, and curative relationships. While its potential role in improving mental health through interpersonal relationships has sparked growing interest, particularly in psychotherapy, the field is at a crossroads, with mixed findings challenging the widespread theoretical assumption that "more synchrony is better." This study introduces a personalized framework that emphasizes individual-specific synchrony signatures, shifting from generalized assumptions to tailored understanding and interventions. The study explores how synchrony can transform relationships into curative ones by leveraging individual-tailored changes in synchrony signatures in psychotherapy. The potential impact is vast. Tailoring synchrony to individual-specific signatures represents a paradigm shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to personalized interventions. This personalized framework could revolutionize mental health care by facilitating the development of targeted strategies that enhance treatment outcomes.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. An individual-specific understanding of how synchrony becomes curative: study protocol.
   Zilcha-Mano S, Bouknik Y, Malka M, Krasovsky T. · · 2025 · cited 2× · PMID 40481468 · DOI 10.1186/s12888-025-06539-3