Trial reportBMC psychology2025
The effect of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT) on shame and intimacy in couples: a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Trial report in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesIntimate relationships can enhance quality of life and reduce the risk of psychological disorders. Self-disclosure, a fundamental component of intimacy, occurs only when vulnerability is met with acceptance rather than rejection. However, shame disrupts this process by inhibiting vulnerability and promoting defensive strategies, thereby undermining intimacy and relational security. This study aimed to address shame within an Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy framework to enhance intimacy.
methodA randomized controlled design was employed. Twenty-six married couples were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The Experience of Shame Scale and the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships were used as assessment tools.
resultsCompared with the control, EFCT significantly increased intimacy and reduced shame in the experimental group (p < 0.05).
conclusionShame may disrupt both intimacy and the therapeutic relationship and should be addressed during treatment. The discussion outlines possible mechanisms of change.
trial registrationThis paper has been registered with the Clinical Trial ID (71773). It was registered on 2024/10/04. (Clinical Trial Number IRCT20230801058994N1).
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