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Mild to Moderate Psychopathological SymptomsNCT05051462

Efficacy of Family Constellations in the General Population

A study testing Family / systemic constellation therapy in people with Mild to Moderate Psychopathological Symptoms, run by Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary at 1 site in Hungary.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of systemic / family constellation therapy in improving mild-moderate psychopathological symptoms and overall wellbeing in the general population. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Family / systemic constellation therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
80 participants
Where
1 siteHungary
Study dates
19 Jul 2021to 25 Apr 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Ability to participate in the in-person intervention on the date randomly assigned to them

Who cannot join

  • Participation in family / systemic constellation therapy within the 12 months prior to study launch
  • Current mental disorder diagnosed by an eligible health care professional

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Hungary1 site
  • Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

    Budapest

Other trials in Hungary

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of Family / Systemic Constellation Therapy in the General Population. A Randomized Wait-list Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of systemic / family constellation therapy in improving mild-moderate psychopathological symptoms and overall wellbeing in the general population. Given the limited amount of evidence on this therapeutic method, special attention will be given to monitor potential adverse outcomes to establish intervention safety. The study will use a randomized, wait-list controlled design and a 6-month follow-up time. This is the second study of this nature following a similar study from Germany.

Read the detailed description

Family/systemic constellation therapy is a system-oriented, short-term group counseling intervention aiming to help clients better understand and resolve their conflicts within their intra- or interpersonal systems, which in turn might lead to a decrease in psychopathological and functional somatic symptoms as well as improvement in overall quality of life. This intervention modality was developed in Germany in the early 1990s integrating elements of - among others - psychodrama, family sculptures, contextual therapy, and certain South-African aboriginal traditions.

Compared to its widespread use by therapists of various theoretical and professional backgrounds all over the world, little effort has been made to generate empirical data regarding the efficacy and safety of this intervention and the overall quality and quantity of the extant evidence is low. Authors of the only (although high-quality) previous randomized controlled trial to date into the efficacy of systemic constellations reported that the intervention was efficacious in reducing general, non-diagnosis-specific psychopathology and psychological distress both in the short- as well as middle- and long term. A recent systematic review summarizing both the peer-reviewed and the grey literature on the mental health effects of systemic constellation therapy concluded that further studies into its efficacy and effectiveness are greatly needed, especially if employing 1) a controlled, ideally randomized-controlled design, 2) at least mid-term follow-up (≥6 months) to evaluate client outcomes and 3) active monitoring of potential iatrogenic effects.

In line with these recommendations, the aim of the present study - when designed - was to collect and analyze further data on the efficacy of systemic constellation therapy in its traditional format in improving mental health. However, the COVID pandemic required the intervention providers to make substantial changes to the usual treatment protocol; therefore, the study in its final form rather serves the purpose of investigating the efficacy of a pandemic-adjusted version of family/systemic constellation workshops than that of the intervention in general.

Being tested
Family / systemic constellation therapy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Family / systemic constellation therapyBehavioural

    Family / systemic constellation therapy is a short-term group counseling intervention aiming to help clients better understand and resolve their conflicts within their personal systems, which in turn might lead to a decrease in psychopathological or functional somatic symptoms. The personal system addressed is most often the family but other inter- or intrapersonal systems (e.g., ego parts, victim-perpetrator dyads) can also be the target of the intervention.

Study groups in NCT05051462
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention groupExperimentalStudy participants participating in family constellation therapy between assessment 1 and 2.
Receives: Behavioral: Family / systemic constellation therapy
Wait-list control groupNo interventionStudy participants participating in family constellation therapy only after all 3 assessment points.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Brief Symptom Inventory Scores

    The Brief Symptom Inventory is a a broad-spectrum measure of psychopathology covering 9 symptom dimensions: Somatization, Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, Interpersonal sensitivity, Depression, Anxiety, Hostility, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid ideation, and Psychoticism. The BSI includes a global index of distress (the General Severity Index, GSI) that reflects the mean of all items, which is used here. The GSI ranges between 0 to 4, higher scores indicative of a higher degree of symptom severity.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  2. Change in Brief Symptom Inventory Scores

    The Brief Symptom Inventory is a a broad-spectrum measure of psychopathology covering 9 symptom dimensions: Somatization, Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, Interpersonal sensitivity, Depression, Anxiety, Hostility, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid ideation, and Psychoticism. The BSI also includes a global index of distress (the General Severity Index, GSI) that reflects the mean of all items, which is used here. The GSI ranges between 0 to 4, higher scores indicative of a higher degree of symptom severity.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Change in Eating Disorder Risk Assessed by the SCOFF Screening Test

    The SCOFF consists of five yes-or-no type questions assessing eating disorder symptoms or risk factors. Higher scores (ranging between 0 and 5) are indicative of greater risk. At least two positive answers (score of 2) indicate a high likelihood of an eating disorder.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  2. Change in Eating Disorder Risk Assessed by the SCOFF Screening Test

    The SCOFF consists of five yes-or-no type questions assessing eating disorder symptoms or risk factors. Higher scores (ranging between 0 and 5) are indicative of greater risk. At least two positive answers (score of 2) indicate a high likelihood of an eating disorder.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

  3. Change in Substance- and Behavioral Addiction Severity Assessed by the SSBA-G

    The SSBA-G (Generalised version of the Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions) is comprised of 8 items (4 items assessing substance-related and 4 assessing behavioral addictions). Items reflect a distinct sign or symptom of potentially problematic involvement into an addictive behavior ("I did it too much;" "Once I started, I couldn't stop;" "I felt I had to do it in order to function;" and "I continued to do it, even though it caused problems"). Scores range between 8 and 56 with higher scores indicative of higher problem severity.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  4. Change in Substance- and Behavioral Addiction Severity Assessed by the SSBA-G

    The SSBA-G (Generalised version of the Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions) is comprised of 8 items (4 items assessing substance-related and 4 assessing behavioral addictions). Items reflect a distinct sign or symptom of potentially problematic involvement into an addictive behavior ("I did it too much;" "Once I started, I couldn't stop;" "I felt I had to do it in order to function;" and "I continued to do it, even though it caused problems"). Scores range between 8 and 56 with higher scores indicative of higher problem severity.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

  5. Change in Quality of Life Specific to Interpersonal Relationships Using the Experience in Personal Social Systems Questionnaire (EXIS.Pers)

    The EXIS.pers assesses the subjective experiences of the individual in their personal social system (e.g. family, circle of friends) covering four dimensions in relation to belonging, autonomy, accord, and confidence. Scores range between 12 and 72 with higher scores are indicative of better functioning.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  6. Change in Quality of Life Specific to Interpersonal Relationships Using the Experience in Personal Social Systems Questionnaire (EXIS.Pers)

    The EXIS.pers assesses the subjective experiences of the individual in their personal social system (e.g. family, circle of friends) covering four dimensions in relation to belonging, autonomy, accord, and confidence. Scores range between 12 and 72 with higher scores are indicative of better functioning.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

  7. Change in Perceived Level of Meaning in Life Using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)

    The Presence of Meaning Subscale of the MLQ assesses perceived level of meaningfulness in a respondent's life. The subscale consists of 5 items, and the total scores range between 5 and 35. Higher scores are indicative of better functioning and quality of life.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  8. Change in Perceived Level of Meaning in Life Using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)

    The Presence of Meaning Subscale of the MLQ assesses perceived level of meaningfulness in a respondent's life. The subscale consists of 5 items, and the total scores range between 5 and 35. Higher scores are indicative of better functioning and quality of life.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

  9. Change in Life Satisfaction Using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)

    The SWLS is a measure of general satisfaction with one's life. Scores range from 5 to 35 with higher scores indicative of higher life satisfaction.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  10. Change in Life Satisfaction Using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)

    The SWLS is a measure of general satisfaction with one's life. Scores range from 5 to 35 with higher scores indicative of higher life satisfaction.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

  11. Change in General Well-being Using the 5-item Version of the WHO Wellbeing Index (WBI-5)

    The WBI-5 measures participants' overall subjective well-being. Scores range between 0 and 15 with higher scores indicative of greater well-being.

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  12. Change in General Well-being Using the 5-item Version of the WHO Wellbeing Index (WBI-5)

    The WBI-5 measures participants' overall subjective well-being. Scores range between 0 and 15 with higher scores indicative of greater well-being.

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

  13. Perceived Negative Effects of the Intervention Using ad Hoc Questions

    Two questions were asked from respondents:

    1. "On the constellation seminar you participated in one month ago or since then, have you experienced any unfavorable change in your family life, your relationships with others or your interpersonal style in general that you attribute to the constellation seminar or can imagine that it is related to your participation in it?"
    2. "On the constellation seminar you participated in one month ago or since then, have you experienced any unfavorable mental or physical change in your personal life that you attribute to the constellation seminar or can imagine that it is related to your participation in it?" The number of participants who answered affirmatively to one or both questions above are reported here. Please note that the wording above is a hypersensitive approach to gather data on iatrogenic effects (cf. "can imagine that it is related to your participation").

    Measured: 1 month post-intervention

  14. Perceived Negative Effects of the Intervention Using ad Hoc Questions

    Two questions were asked from respondents:

    1. "In the past 5 months (since the completion of the first follow-up questionnaire of this study), have you experienced any unfavorable change in your family life, your relationships with others or your interpersonal style in general that you attribute to the constellation seminar or can imagine that it is related to your participation in it?"
    2. "In the past 5 months (since the completion of the first follow-up questionnaire of this study), have you experienced any unfavorable mental or physical change in your personal life that you attribute to the constellation seminar or can imagine that it is related to your participation in it?" The number of participants who answered affirmatively to one or both questions above are reported here. Please note that the wording above is a hypersensitive approach to gather data on iatrogenic effects (cf. "can imagine that it is related to your participation").

    Measured: 6 month post-intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Sep 2021
  2. Study start19 Jul 2021
  3. Primary completion25 Apr 2022
  4. Study completion25 Apr 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
80 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05051462
Sponsor's protocol ID
BTK/591-1/2021
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
9 Jul 2021
Last updated
26 Sep 2025
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: The authors are concerned that making individual participant data available to others would seriously jeopardize participants' willingness to participate in the study. Therefore, the authors offer that they will conduct any alternative analyses on the data set other researchers are interested in and the authors will share the raw output of those analyses including the analytical syntaxes.

Publications

  • Konkoly Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S. The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Fam Process. 2021 Jun;60(2):409-423. doi: 10.1111/famp.12636. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

    PubMed 33528854
  • Weinhold J, Hunger C, Bornhauser A, Link L, Rochon J, Wild B, Schweitzer J. Family constellation seminars improve psychological functioning in a general population sample: results of a randomized controlled trial. J Couns Psychol. 2013 Oct;60(4):601-9. doi: 10.1037/a0033539. Epub 2013 Aug 19.

    PubMed 23957767
  • Konkoly Thege B, Szabo GS. The efficacy of pandemic-adjusted family/systemic constellation therapy in improving psychopathological symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. J Psychiatr Res. 2024 Sep;177:271-278. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.07.027. Epub 2024 Jul 18.

    PubMed 39053295

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Family / systemic constellation therapy in people with Mild to Moderate Psychopathological Symptoms, run by Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary at 1 site in Hungary.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Hungary. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 26 Sep 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Brief Symptom Inventory Scores (time frame: 1 month post-intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05051462, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Sep 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.

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