Title
Effects of Oxytocin on Behavior and Physiology in a Psychotherapy Setting
Physiologic Correlates of Perceived [Therapist] Empathy and Social-Emotional Process During Psychotherapy: Testing Oxytocin in a Cross-Over Design Pilot Study
Phase
Phase 4Lead Sponsor
MacDonald, Kai, M.D.Study Type
InterventionalStatus
Completed Results PostedIntervention/Treatment
oxytocin ...Study Participants
18Subjects-currently in outpatient mental health care--will participate in 2 psychotherapy sessions, one with oxytocin spray and one with placebo spray. Sessions will be videotaped, and cortisol and heart rate will be measured. We hypothesize that oxytocin will have positive benefits on nonverbal behavior in the therapy session, as well as have positive effects on subjective anxiety, cortisol and heart rate.
Participant received intranasal placebo spray at first psychotherapy session, and received a single dose of 40 IU intranasal oxytocin at the second session.
Participant received a single dose of 40 IU intranasal oxytocin at the first psychotherapy session, and received a similar dose of intranasal placebo spray at the second session.
Participant was randomized to receive placebo before the first psychotherapy session, and then received the active drug at the second visit.
Participant was randomized to receive placebo before the first psychotherapy session, and then received the active drug at the second visit.
Inclusion Criteria: in current mental health treatment male 18-65 Exclusion Criteria: diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis diagnosis of autism or Aspergers disorder active substance use disorder at moderate or high risk of self-harm
| Event Type | Organ System | Event Term |
|---|
Videotapes of 2 therapy session (PBO/OT) were reviewed by blinded raters to determine differences in two treatments. There were nine aspects analyzed using the Ethological Coding System for Interviews: eye contact, affiliation, submission, prosocial, flight, assertion, displacement, relaxation, and gesture.
HRV will be measured before, during and after the therapy session.
Outcome Measure Data Not Reported
Patient will fill out ratings of subjective anxiety (STAI), mood and energy (PANAS), and trust (Likert scale) in the therapist before and after the session.
Outcome Measure Data Not Reported
Salivary cortisol will be measured after the treatment, and before, during and after the therapy session.
Outcome Measure Data Not Reported
