INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN
THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, M.D., Ph.D.5, and Keiichi Narita, Ph.D.6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

Pages: 121-134

KEY WORDS:  Sandplay therapy, inter-brain synchronization, IBS, client-therapist relationship, neuroscience, brain, NIRS, social interaction, synchronization, mixed-methods research, qualitative data, quantitative data,

ABSTRACT:  Inter-brain synchronization (IBS), the brains of more than two persons in concert, is considered as a neural basis for relationship. We investigated inter-brain synchronization (IBS) as an indicator of the client-therapist relationship during a simulated sandplay session and a post-sandplay interview between client and therapist, with both using a wearable two-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device. We analyzed the quantitative data of changes in total Hb (hemoglobin) values (i.e., indicators of regional brain functioning) with the qualitative data of video recordings of sessions and the therapist’s introspection. The results showed that client-therapist correlations (i.e., IBS) in clinically important intervals (which we termed “moments of interest” [MOIs]) in the sandplay and interview, in particular at a point in which the client made a river with dynamic actions, showed distinctive IBS. In addition to MOIs, many intervals showing positive or negative synchronization were observed, which might indicate subtle moments of empathy, possibly caused by seeing movements. Our study showed that combining the NIRS data with behavioral data in this way may bring new insights into interactions between the client and therapist during sandplay therapy

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IN JAPANESE

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN
THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto1, Hiroshi Ishihara2, Junko Ito3, Takuma Tanaka4, Yasutaka Kubota5, and Keiichi Narita6

1 Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
2 Shimane University, Shimane, Japan,
3 Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan,
4 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
5 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
6 Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

キーワード:　箱庭療法、脳間同期（IBS）, クライアントとセラピストの関係、神経科学、脳、近赤外線分光装置（NIRS）、関心対象区間（MOI）、興味深い瞬間、社会的総合性、混合法研究、定性データ、定量データ

要旨

2人以上の脳が協調する脳間同期（IBS）は、関係性の神経基盤として考えられている。我々は、2チャンネルの近赤外線分光装置（NIRS）を装着し、模擬的箱庭セッション及び箱庭制作後のクライアントとセラピストのインタビューにおいて、クライアントとセラピストの関係性の指標となる脳間同期（IBS）を調査した。脳の領域機能の指標である総Hb（ヘモグロビン）値の変化という定量的なデータを、セッションのビデオ録画やセラピストの内省という定性的なデータとともに分析した。その結果、箱庭と面接における臨床的に重要な区間（これを「関心対象区間」[MOI]と呼ぶ）におけるクライアントとセラピストの相関（＝IBS）が、特にクライアントがダイナミックな動作で川を作るポイントで、特徴的なIBSを示すことが明らかとなった。また、MOI以外にも、正負の同期を示す区間が多く観察され、これは、動きを見ることによって生じる微妙な共感の瞬間を示している可能性がある。本研究によって、このようにNIRSデータを行動データと組み合わせることで、箱庭療法中のクライエントとセラピストの相互作用に新たな知見をもたらす可能性があることが示された。

IN GERMAN

INTERZEREBRALE SYNCHRONISATION
DIE PATIENT- THERAPEUTEN BEZIEHUNG
IN DER SANDSPIELTHERAPIE:
EINE EXPLORATORISCHE STUDIE

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Band 32, Nummer 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, M.D., Ph.D.5 und Keiichi Narita, Ph.D .6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane-Universität, Shimane, Japan
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Graduiertenschule für Medizin der Universität Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Sandspieltherapie, Interzerebrale Synchronisation, Beziehung zwischen Patient und Therapeut, Neurowissenschaften, Gehirn, soziale Interaktion, Synchronisation, Mixed-Methods-Forschung, qualitative Daten, quantitative Daten.

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Interzerebrale Synchronisation, die Gleichschaltung der Gehirne von mehr als zwei Personen, wird als neuronale Grundlage für Beziehungen untersucht. Wir untersuchten die Interhirnsynchronisation als Indikator für die Beziehung zwischen Patient und Therapeut während einer simulierten Sandspielsitzung und einem Interview zwischen Klient und Therapeut nach dem Sandspiel, wobei beide ein tragbares Zweikanalgerät verwendeten. Wir analysierten die quantitativen Daten der Veränderungen der Hämoglobin Werte (d. h. Indikatoren für die regionale Gehirnfunktion) mit den qualitativen Daten aus Videoaufzeichnungen von Sitzungen und der Selbstbeobachtung des Therapeuten. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass Patient-Therapeut-Korrelationen in klinisch wichtigen Intervallen im Sandspiel und Interview auftreten. Zusätzlich wurden viele Intervalle beobachtet, die eine positive oder negative Synchronisation zeigten, was auf subtile Momente der Empathie hinweisen könnte, die möglicherweise durch das Sehen von Bewegungen verursacht wurden. Unsere Studie zeigte, dass die Kombination der Daten auf diese Weise neue Erkenntnisse über die Interaktionen zwischen Klient und Therapeut während der Sandspieltherapie liefern kann.

IN SPANISH

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN
THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, M.D., Ph.D.5, and Keiichi Narita, Ph.D.6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

 PALABRAS CLAVE: Terapia Sandplay, sincronización intercerebral, SII, relación cliente-terapeuta, neurociencia, cerebro, NIRS, interacción social, sincronización, investigación con métodos mixtos, datos cualitativos, datos cuantitativos.

IN HEBREW

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN
THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, M.D., Ph.D.5, and Keiichi Narita, Ph.D.6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

סינכרוניזציה בין-מוחית ביחסי מטפל-מטופל בטיפול במשחק בחול: עבודת חקר

מיצ’יקו אקימוטו, ד”ר הירושי אישיהרה, יונקו איטו, טקומה טנקה, ד”ר יסוטקה קובוטה וד”ר קיישי נריטה.

 מילות מפתח: טיפול במשחק בחול, סינכרוניזציה בין-מוחית, יחסי מטפל-מטופל, מדעי המח, אינטראקציה חברתית, סינכרוניזציה, מחקר מעורב, נתונים איכותניים, נתונים כמותיים.

 תקציר: סינכרוניזציה בין-מוחית (סב”מ), כלומר תיאום המוחות של יותר שני אנשים, נחשבת כבסיס העיצבי ליחסים הטיפוליים. חקרנו סב”מ כציין ליחסים הטיפוליים תוך כדי סימולציה של משחק בחול וכן ראיון בין המטפל והמטופל, כאשר שניהם חבשו מכשירי מדידה. ניתחנו את מדדי החלבון (נתונים כמותיים) לפי הנתונים האיכותניים שצולמו בווידאו ועל פי הניתוח של המטפל. התוצאות הראו שההתאמה בין המטפל והמטופל ברגעים משמעותיים משותפים מבחינה טיפולית הודגמה על ידי הסב”מ. המחקר מראה ששילוב הנתונים הניתנים למדידה עם נתונים התנהגותיים עשוי לתרום לתובנות חדשות בנוגע ליחסים הטיפוליים בטיפול במשחק בחול.

IN FRENCH

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN
THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, M.D., Ph.D.5, and Keiichi Narita, Ph.D.6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

MOTS CLÉS: Thérapie par le jeu de sable, synchronisation inter-cérébrale, IBS, relation client-thérapeute, neurosciences, cerveau, NIRS, interaction sociale, synchronisation, recherche à méthodes mixtes, données qualitatives, données quantitatives Terapia Sandplay, sincronización intercerebral, SII, relación cliente-terapeuta, neurociencia, cerebro, NIRS, interacción social, sincronización, investigación con métodos mixtos, datos cualitativos, datos cuantitativos.

IN PORTUGUESE

SINCRONIZAÇÃO INTERCEREBRAL
A RELAÇÃO CLIENTE-TERAPEUTA
DURANTE A TERAPIA DE SANDPLAY:
UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Número 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, MD, Ph.D.5 e Keiichi Narita, Ph.D. .6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japão, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane University, Shimane, Japão
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japão
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japão, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japão, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Kyoto, Kyoto, Japão

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Terapia de sandplay, sincronização inter-cérebral, relacionamento cliente-terapeuta, neurociência, cérebro, interação social, sincronização, pesquisa de métodos mistos, dados qualitativos, dados quantitativos.

RESUMO: A sincronização entre cérebros, os cérebros de mais de duas pessoas em conjunto, é considerada uma base neural para o relacionamento. Investigamos a sincronização entre cérebros como um indicador da relação cliente-terapeuta durante uma sessão simulada de sandplay e uma entrevista pós-sandplay entre cliente e terapeuta, com ambos usando um instrumento de dois canais. Analisamos os dados quantitativos das mudanças nos valores totais de hemoglobina (isto é, indicadores do funcionamento regional do cérebro) com os dados qualitativos das gravações de vídeos das sessões e a introspecção do terapeuta. Os resultados mostraram que as correlações cliente-terapeuta em intervalos clinicamente importantes (que denominamos “momentos de interesse”) no sandplay e na entrevista, foram distintos. Além disso foram observados muitos intervalos com sincronização positiva ou negativa, o que pode indicar momentos sutis de empatia, possivelmente causados por movimentos de visão. Nosso estudo mostrou que dados podem trazer novos insights sobre as interações entre o cliente e o terapeuta durante a terapia de sandplay.

IN ITALIAN

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto1, Hiroshi Ishihara2, Junko Ito3, Takuma Tanaka4, Yasutaka Kubota5, and Keiichi Narita6

1 Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
2 Shimane University, Shimane, Japan,
3 Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan,
4 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
5 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
6 Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

PAROLE CHIAVE:  Terapia del gioco della sabbia, sincronizzazione inter-cervello, IBS, relazione cliente-terapeuta, neuroscienze, cervello, NIRS, interazione sociale, sincronizzazione, ricerca con metodi misti, dati qualitativi, dati quantitativi.

IN CHINESE

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto1, Hiroshi Ishihara2, Junko Ito3, Takuma Tanaka4, Yasutaka Kubota5, and Keiichi Narita6
Japan  日本

1 Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
2 Shimane University, Shimane, Japan,
3 Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan,
4 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
5 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
6 Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

 关键词：沙盘游戏疗法、脑间同步、IBS、客户与治疗师关系、神经科学、大脑、NIRS、社交互动、同步、混合方法研究、定性数据、定量数据

IN ROMANIAN

SINCRONIZAREA ÎNTRE CREIERE ÎN
RELAȚIA CLIENT-TERAPEUT
ÎN TIMPUL TERAPIEI PRIN JOC DE NISIP:
UN STUDIU EXPLORATORIU

Jurnalul de Sandplay Therapy, Volumul 32, Numărul 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto, M.A.1, Hiroshi Ishihara, Ph.D.2, Junko Ito, M.A.3, Takuma Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.4, Yasutaka Kubota, M.D., Ph.D.5, and Keiichi Narita, Ph.D.6

  1. Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
  2. Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
  3. Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
  4. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
  5. Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
  6. Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

 CUVINTE CHEIE: Terapia prin joc de nisip, sincronizare inter-creier, SII, relația client-terapeut, neuroștiință, creier, NIRS, interacțiune socială, sincronizare, cercetare cu metode mixte, date calitative, date cantitative

IN HINDI

INTER-BRAIN SYNCHRONIZATION IN THE CLIENT-THERAPIST RELATIONSHIP
DURING SANDPLAY THERAPY:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 32, Number 1, 2023

Michiko Akimoto1, Hiroshi Ishihara2, Junko Ito3, Takuma Tanaka4, Yasutaka Kubota5, and Keiichi Narita6

1 Toyo Eiwa University, Kanagawa, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0002-6004-4131
2 Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
3 Saitama Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
4 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-1898-8064
5 Shiga University, Shiga, Japan, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3482-9629
6 Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

कीवर्ड: सैंडप्ले थेरेपी, रिसर्च, inter-brain synchronization, IBS, client-therapist relationship, न्यूरोसाइंस, ब्रेन, NIRS, social interaction, synchronization, mixed-methods research, qualitative data, quantitative data.