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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 21 · 2012

3 results

Oxytocin increases heart rate variability in humans at rest: implications for social approach-related motivation and capacity for social engagement.

Kemp AH, Quintana DS, Kuhnert RL, Griffiths K, Hickie IB, Guastella AJ

PloS one28 Aug 2012Cited by 109 (Europe PMC)

PMID22937145 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC3429409 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0044014 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-22937145
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Summary

ContextOxytocin (OT) plays a key regulatory role in human social behaviour. While prior studies have examined the effects of OT on observable social behaviours, studies have seldom examined the effects of OT on psychophysiological markers such as heart rate variability (HRV), which provides an index of individual's motivation for social behaviour. Furthermore, no studies have examined the impact of OT on HRV under resting conditions, which provides an index of maximal capacity for social engagement.ObjectiveTo examine the effects of OT on HRV measures in healthy male participants while at rest. OT was hypothesised to increase HRV, compared to placebo, and that the effects would be greatest for a non-linear measure of HRV (the detrended fluctuation scaling exponent).MethodsTwenty-one male participants were recruited for this study. Participants were non-smokers, not on any medications and reported no history of psychiatric illness, neurological disorder, or any other serious medical condition (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease). The study employed a randomised, placebo-controlled, within-subject, crossover, experimental design.Main outcome measuresHRV was calculated from electrocardiography under a standardized, 10-minute, resting state condition.ResultsAs hypothesised, OT increased HRV and these effects were largest using the detrended fluctuation scaling exponent, a non-linear measure. These changes were observed in the absence of any change in state mood, as measured by the profile of mood states. Importantly, participants were unable to correctly guess which treatment they had been assigned at either of the two assessments.ConclusionsTogether with the broader literature on OT and HRV, findings suggest that acute administration of OT may facilitate a fundamental psychophysiological feature of social behaviour, increasing capacity for social engagement. Findings also suggest that HRV changes may provide a novel biomarker of response to OT nasal spray that can be incorporated into research on response to treatment.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy male participants at rest, oxytocin increased heart rate variability compared with placebo.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men at rest, oxytocin raised heart rate variability compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseResting heart rate variability (HRV)
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · nasal sprayAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    As hypothesised, OT increased HRV
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one male participants were recruited for this study.
    Summary · context
    The study employed a randomised, placebo-controlled, within-subject, crossover, experimental design.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy male participants at rest, the oxytocin effect on HRV was largest with the non-linear detrended fluctuation scaling exponent.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men at rest, oxytocin's effect on heart rate variability was largest on one non-linear measure, compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseResting HRV by detrended fluctuation scaling exponent (non-linear measure)
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · nasal sprayAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    As hypothesised, OT increased HRV and these effects were largest using the detrended fluctuation scaling exponent, a non-linear measure.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one male participants were recruited for this study.
    Summary · context
    The study employed a randomised, placebo-controlled, within-subject, crossover, experimental design.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy male participants, the HRV changes with oxytocin occurred without any change in state mood compared with placebo.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin did not change mood compared with placebo, even though heart rate variability rose.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeState mood (profile of mood states)
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · nasal sprayAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    These changes were observed in the absence of any change in state mood, as measured by the profile of mood states.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one male participants were recruited for this study.
    Summary · context
    The study employed a randomised, placebo-controlled, within-subject, crossover, experimental design.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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