Abstract
BackgroundA person’s voice influences how we perceive someone. Paraverbal features of therapists’ speech interact in complex ways with semantic contents, the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic progress. This still young field of research has become increasingly more important in recent years.Aim of the workThe present narrative review summarizes the study results on the relationship between individual paraverbal characteristics and vocal adaptation of patient and therapist as well as between the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic success.MethodFor this study 5 databases were searched using keywords and suitable full texts were selected according to inclusion criteria (studies over the last 20 years, hypothesis-driven analysis of paraverbal aspects of therapists’ speech, using physical measurement data, therapy of adults).ResultsThe 15 selected studies (1417 database entries) with an average of 137 included therapy excerpts (SD ± 112) differ strongly in research design and with pitch, speech tempo, vocal energy and combinations of indicators, consider different paraverbal features. A lower fundamental frequency and softer speech (low vocal energy) tend to be perceived as more empathic. In particular, synchronization of pitch and vocal coregulation between therapist and patient were investigated, with contradictory effects being described. While no direct effects are described for the tempo of speech, therapists whose tempo of speech differs from that of the clients are perceived as less empathic.ConclusionParaverbal features and vocal coordination are important for the therapeutic process. Partly contradictory results point to a need for further research.
Published Version
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