The Influence of Intranasal Oxytocin on Communication

What Was Tested

This registered not phased trial tested Oxytocin.

This study investigates whether oxytocin, a neuropeptide known for its role in social bonding, influences the outcomes of persuasive communications and several primary evolutionary goals.

Participants will be given either oxytocin or placebo on their first visit and then they will receive the other spray during their second visit.

At each visit, participants will engage in several psychosocial tasks to assess the role of oxytocin on receptiveness to opposing opinions, navigating the spatial environment, mating and parenting goals.

It had two arms (groups): Experimental (experimental) and Control - Placebo (placebo comparator).

The registry classes the interventions as drug.

More on the Plan

The present study is designed to investigate whether and how oxytocin may affect communication outcomes--specifically, by influencing trust of people presenting opinions that participants disagree with.

Participants will then view photos of speakers presenting opinions on various socio-political issues which the participants disagree with.

Participants will complete questions about their psychological reactions (e.g., anger, receptiveness) to the opinions presented.

After reporting on their receptiveness to the opposing opinions, participants will begin the attentional tasks.

Who Took Part

The registry lists 50 actual participants took part.

It was open to people of any sex.

Healthy volunteers could join, not only people with the condition.

The full record lists 0 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: currently have a diagnosed mental illness or are in psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment; are taking endocrinologically or psychoactive drugs (e.g. psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives, or sleeping pills); are taking anti-hypertensive drugs or drugs with qtc prolongation.

How the Study Was Run

Design: randomized, crossover and double-blind.

The participants were allocated by chance, so the Oxytocin group and the comparison group should start out alike.

Each person switched between Oxytocin and the comparison at some point, usually with a gap in between.

As a double-blind Oxytocin study, the assignments were hidden from both participants and investigators until the end.

Those kept unaware of assignments: participant and investigator.

It started in 2017-11-06 with completion listed for 2018-12-12.

It ran at 1 site in Canada.

Its stated primary purpose is basic science.

What Was Measured

Primary outcome: Communication Outcomes (time frame: 60-90 minutes).

It also tracked 3 secondary outcomes, for example Appetite, Short vs. Long-Term mating orientation and Peripheral narrowing of attention.

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a not phased, randomized trial of Oxytocin in 50 people.

The trial is marked completed; no results are posted to the registry yet, so nothing here describes outcomes.

More context: the Oxytocin compound page, all human trials.