Oxytocin and Interpersonal Motor Resonance

What Was Tested

In this phase 4 trial, researchers set out to test Oxytocin.

Among different social cues from the environment, the eyes constitute a very salient source for initiating social interaction or communication.

It had two arms (groups): Oxytocin (OT) spray (experimental) and Placebo (PL) spray (placebo comparator).

The registry classes the interventions as drug and other.

More on the Plan

To investigate the effects of exogenous OT administrations, the investigators adopted a double-blind, within-subjects (cross-over), randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

The investigators will recruit approximately 30 neurotypical young adults males between 18 - 35 years old.

Since a cross-over design is included, subjects will participate in two sessions, separated by one week.

In each session, the non-invasive brain stimulation technique 'transcranial magnetic stimulation' (TMS) will be used at the level of the primary motor cortex to obtain an end-state measure of unconscious 'mirror-motor mapping' or IMR.

Who Took Part

The registry lists 27 actual participants took part.

It was open to men only aged from 18 years up to 35 years.

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

Examples of who could join: Young adults (between 18 - 35 y/o).

The full record lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: any neuro(psycho)logical / psychiatric illness; motor dysfunctions of the hands / arms.

How the Study Was Run

It was run as a randomized, crossover and triple-blind study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Oxytocin and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

In the crossover set-up each of the participants took both Oxytocin and the comparison in turn, acting as their own control.

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

Those kept unaware of assignments: participant, investigator and outcomes assessor.

It started in 2016-01 with completion listed for 2016-08.

It ran at 1 site in Belgium.

Its stated primary purpose is basic science.

What Was Measured

Researchers chose this as the main measure: Assessment of interpersonal motor resonance (IMR) (time frame: 30 minutes).

It also tracked 4 secondary outcomes, for example State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) (sub)scores, Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) (sub)scores, Spontaneous gaze behavior and Participants' mood.

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a phase 4, randomized trial of Oxytocin in 27 people.

Its size is small, so on its own it can only give an early look.

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.