TY - JOUR
T1 - Oxytocin-Augmented Modular-Based Group Intervention for Loneliness
T2 - A Proof-Of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial
AU - Berger, Ruben
AU - Hurlemann, Rene
AU - Shamay-Tsoory, Simone
AU - Kanterman, Alisa
AU - Brauser, Maura
AU - Gorni, Jessica
AU - Luhmann, Maike
AU - Schramm, Elisabeth
AU - Schultz, Johannes
AU - Philipsen, Alexandra
AU - Lieberz, Jana
AU - Scheele, Dirk
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.
PY - 2024/5/16
Y1 - 2024/5/16
N2 - Introduction: Loneliness poses a significant health problem and existing psychological interventions have shown only limited positive effects on loneliness. Based on preliminary evidence for impaired oxytocin signaling in trait-like loneliness, the current proof-of-concept study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to probe intranasal oxytocin (OT) as an adjunct to a short-term modular-based group intervention for individuals suffering from high trait-like loneliness (HL, UCLA Loneliness Scale ≥55). Methods: Seventy-eight healthy HL adults (56 women) received five weekly group psychotherapy sessions. HL participants received OT or placebo before the intervention sessions. Primary outcomes were trait-like loneliness measured at baseline, after the intervention, and again at two follow-up time points (3 weeks and 3 months), and, assessed at each session, state loneliness (visual analog scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10), quality of life (World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index, WHO-5), and the therapeutic relationship (Group Questionnaire, GQ-D). Results: The psychological intervention was associated with significantly reduced perceived stress and improved trait-like loneliness across treatment groups, which was still evident at the 3-month follow-up. OT had no significant effect on trait-like loneliness, quality of life, or perceived stress. However, compared to placebo, OT significantly facilitated the decrease in state loneliness within sessions and significantly improved positive bonding between the group members. Conclusion: Despite significantly improved trait-like loneliness after the intervention, OT did not significantly augment this effect. Further studies are needed to determine optimal intervention designs to translate the observed acute effects of OT into long-term benefits.
AB - Introduction: Loneliness poses a significant health problem and existing psychological interventions have shown only limited positive effects on loneliness. Based on preliminary evidence for impaired oxytocin signaling in trait-like loneliness, the current proof-of-concept study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to probe intranasal oxytocin (OT) as an adjunct to a short-term modular-based group intervention for individuals suffering from high trait-like loneliness (HL, UCLA Loneliness Scale ≥55). Methods: Seventy-eight healthy HL adults (56 women) received five weekly group psychotherapy sessions. HL participants received OT or placebo before the intervention sessions. Primary outcomes were trait-like loneliness measured at baseline, after the intervention, and again at two follow-up time points (3 weeks and 3 months), and, assessed at each session, state loneliness (visual analog scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10), quality of life (World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index, WHO-5), and the therapeutic relationship (Group Questionnaire, GQ-D). Results: The psychological intervention was associated with significantly reduced perceived stress and improved trait-like loneliness across treatment groups, which was still evident at the 3-month follow-up. OT had no significant effect on trait-like loneliness, quality of life, or perceived stress. However, compared to placebo, OT significantly facilitated the decrease in state loneliness within sessions and significantly improved positive bonding between the group members. Conclusion: Despite significantly improved trait-like loneliness after the intervention, OT did not significantly augment this effect. Further studies are needed to determine optimal intervention designs to translate the observed acute effects of OT into long-term benefits.
KW - Intervention
KW - Oxytocin
KW - Psychotherapy
KW - State loneliness
KW - Trait-like loneliness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85194084674&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000538752
DO - 10.1159/000538752
M3 - Article
C2 - 38754399
AN - SCOPUS:85194084674
SN - 0033-3190
VL - 93
SP - 169
EP - 180
JO - Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
JF - Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
IS - 3
ER -