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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 193 · 2021

4 results

Intranasal oxytocin and the stress-buffering effects of social support during experimentally induced pain: The role of attachment security.

Riem MME, Kunst LE, Kop WJ

Journal of affective disorders15 Sept 2020Cited by 10 (Europe PMC)

PMID32961410 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.057 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-32961410
Publisher pagePubMedAsk about this study
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Summary

BackgroundThis study examined whether intranasal oxytocin enhances the stress-buffering effects of social support during experimentally induced pain, taking into account the role of individual differences in attachment security.MethodsFemale participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)). Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels. The Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire was used to measure attachment.ResultsOxytocin reduced RMSSD (p = 0.003, partial ɳ2 = 0.03) and increased heart rate (p = 0.039, partial ɳ2 = 0.03) in individuals who received support, possibly reflecting an enhanced attentional state. Oxytocin did not enhance beneficial effects of social support on perceived pain, but increased pain intensity in avoidantly attached individuals who were supported by a friend (p = 0.009, partial ɳ2 = 0.06).LimitationsOnly female participants were examined. Future studies are needed to determine sex differences in how oxytocin shapes stress-buffering effects of support.ConclusionsOxytocin may enhance the salience of social proximity and may be a mechanism underlying previously reported social influences on cardiovascular and mental health. However, oxytocin effects depend on interpersonal insecurities and may trigger discomfort in avoidantly attached individuals. Caution about oxytocin's therapeutic promise is warranted.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In women who received social support during a cold pressor task, intranasal oxytocin did not enhance the beneficial effect of support on perceived pain versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn women, nasal oxytocin did not make social support reduce felt pain more than placebo did.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changePerceived pain with social support
    Study

    n = 193

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Oxytocin did not enhance beneficial effects of social support on perceived pain, but increased pain intensity in avoidantly attached individuals who were supported by a friend (p = 0.009, partial ɳ2 = 0.06).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Female participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)).
    Summary · context
    Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism

    In women who received support from a friend during a cold pressor task, intranasal oxytocin reduced heart rate variability (RMSSD) versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn women supported by a friend during a painful cold task, nasal oxytocin lowered heart rate variability compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    DecreaseHeart rate variability (RMSSD) during cold pressor task with support
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Oxytocin reduced RMSSD (p = 0.003
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Female participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)).
    Summary · context
    Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism

    In women who received support from a friend during a cold pressor task, intranasal oxytocin increased heart rate versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn women supported by a friend during a painful cold task, nasal oxytocin raised heart rate compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseHeart rate during cold pressor task with support
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    increased heart rate (p = 0.039
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Female participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)).
    Summary · context
    Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels.
  4. 04HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome

    In avoidantly attached women who were supported by a friend, intranasal oxytocin increased pain intensity versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn women with avoidant attachment who were supported by a friend, nasal oxytocin increased pain intensity compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreasePain intensity in avoidantly attached supported individuals
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Oxytocin did not enhance beneficial effects of social support on perceived pain, but increased pain intensity in avoidantly attached individuals who were supported by a friend (p = 0.009, partial ɳ2 = 0.06).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Female participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)).
    Summary · context
    Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels.

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, 00:50 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. 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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