Actigraphy assessment of motor activity and sleep in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the effects of intranasal oxytocin.

Melby K, Fasmer OB, Henriksen TE, Gråwe RW, Aamo TO, Spigset O

PloS one13 Feb 2020Cited by 14 (Europe PMC)

PMID32053696PMCIDPMC7018062DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0228700PepBankPUB-32053696

Summary

Background and aimsThe alcohol withdrawal syndrome increases autonomic activation and stress in patients during detoxification, leading to alterations in motor activity and sleep irregularities. Intranasal oxytocin has been proposed as a possible treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal. The aim of the present study was to explore whether actigraphy could be used as a tool to register symptoms during alcohol detoxification, whether oxytocin affected actigraphy variables related to motor activity and sleep compared to placebo during detoxification, and whether actigraphy-recorded motor function during detoxification was different from that in healthy controls.MethodsThis study was a part of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 40 patients with alcohol use disorder admitted for acute detoxification were included. Of these, 20 received insufflations with intranasal oxytocin and 20 received placebo. Outcomes were actigraphy-recorded motor activity during 5-hour sequences following the insufflations and a full 24-hour period, as well as actigraphy-recorded sleep. Results were related to clinical variables of alcohol intake and withdrawal, including self-reported sleep. Finally, the actigraphy results were compared to those in a group of 34 healthy individuals.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the oxytocin group and the placebo group for any of actigraphy variables registered. Neither were there any correlations between actigraphy-recorded motor function and clinical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but there was a significant association between self-reported and actigraphy-recorded sleep. Compared to healthy controls, motor activity during alcohol withdrawal was lower in the evenings and showed increased variability.ConclusionIntranasal oxytocin did not affect actigraphy-recorded motor activity nor sleep in patients with acute alcohol withdrawal. There were no findings indicating that actigraphy can be used to evaluate the degree of withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. However, patients undergoing acute alcohol withdrawal had a motor activity pattern different from than in healthy controls.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with alcohol withdrawal, intranasal oxytocin did not change actigraphy-recorded motor activity compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn patients going through alcohol withdrawal, oxytocin did not change motor activity compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeActigraphy-recorded motor activity
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Intranasal oxytocin did not affect actigraphy-recorded motor activity nor sleep in patients with acute alcohol withdrawal.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
There were no significant differences between the oxytocin group and the placebo group for any of actigraphy variables registered.
Summary · context
This study was a part of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 40 patients with alcohol use disorder admitted for acute detoxification were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3205369601
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with alcohol withdrawal, intranasal oxytocin did not change actigraphy-recorded sleep compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn patients going through alcohol withdrawal, oxytocin did not change sleep compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeActigraphy-recorded sleep
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Sleep · Sleep
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Intranasal oxytocin did not affect actigraphy-recorded motor activity nor sleep in patients with acute alcohol withdrawal.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
There were no significant differences between the oxytocin group and the placebo group for any of actigraphy variables registered.
Summary · context
This study was a part of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 40 patients with alcohol use disorder admitted for acute detoxification were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3205369602

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

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 3NCT03339024

Intranasal Oxytocin Effects in Alcohol Withdrawal and Dependence; Follow-up Study

Norwegian University of Science and Technologyn = 381 Nov 2017 to 31 Mar 2019

Alcoholism · Substance-Related Disorders

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 19 Feb 2020

Version history

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Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:48 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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