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Effects of oxytocin on empathy, introspective accuracy, and social symptoms in schizophrenia: A 12-week twice-daily randomized controlled trial
Halverson, Tate Jarskog, L. Fredrik Pedersen, Cord Penn, David
Halverson, Tate
Jarskog, L. Fredrik
Pedersen, Cord
Penn, David
Abstract
The effects of intranasal oxytocin, a neuropeptide involved in prosocial behavior and modulation of neural networks underlying social cognition and emotion regulation, have been studied in schizophrenia. We tested the hypothesis that twice-daily intranasal oxytocin administered for 12-weeks would improve tertiary and exploratory outcomes of self-reported social symptoms, empathy and introspective accuracy from the Jarskog et al. (2017) randomized controlled trial. Sixty-eight stable outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized to receive oxytocin (24 IU twice daily) or placebo. Introspective accuracy was assessed with the Specific Level of Functioning Scale and the Interpersonal Perception Task. Empathy was assessed with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and social symptoms were assessed with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and the Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scales. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, six, and twelve weeks. Results demonstrated limited effect of oxytocin with some improvement on the IRI Perspective-Taking Subscale. No additional between-group differences emerged on self-reported symptoms, empathy, or introspective accuracy.
Keywords
oxytocin, social behavior, psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Schizophrenia Research
Book
Volume
204
Issue
Page Range
178-182
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Open
Open