Case Report: Oxytocin and Its Association With Psychotherapy Process and Outcome.

Grossman-Giron A, Tzur Bitan D, Zilcha-Mano S, Nitzan U, Mendlovic S, Maoz H

Frontiers in psychiatry14 Sept 2021Cited by 5 (Europe PMC)

PMID34594245PMCIDPMC8477032DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.691055PepBankPUB-34594245

Summary

The potential of Oxytocin (OT) as a facilitator of psychotherapy has been previously acknowledged, nonetheless, randomized controlled trials thus far have not yielded conclusive results. One approach suggested to clarify empirical inconsistencies is to refine the study hypotheses and data collection process by utilizing an in-depth idiographic exploration of the investigated phenomena. In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week. These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks. Both patients completed longitudinal assessments of process and outcome measures, and therapists' clinical notes were extracted and reviewed. Reliable clinical change was calculated for all outcome and process measures. The results indicated that the patient receiving OT showed significant improvement in interpersonal distress, as well as in anxiety and depression symptoms, while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period. Furthermore, while both patients showed no significant changes in the therapeutic alliance ratings, the therapist of the OT patient regularly reported positive changes in alliance in the medical notes, while no such report was observed in the placebo patient. These results suggest that changes produced by OT administration may be more noticeable by the therapist. Implications for future studies aimed at assessing the effect of OT on psychotherapy process and outcome are discussed.

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

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

01HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In a hospitalized patient with depression, oxytocin was followed by significant improvement in interpersonal distress, while the placebo patient showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn one patient with depression, interpersonal distress improved after oxytocin, while a second patient on placebo did not change. This is one case.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseInterpersonal distress
Study
n = 2
Comparator
Placebo patient
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 4 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The results indicated that the patient receiving OT showed significant improvement in interpersonal distress
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period.
Summary · context
In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.
Summary · context
These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3459424501
02HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In a hospitalized patient with depression, oxytocin was followed by significant improvement in anxiety symptoms, while the placebo patient showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn one patient with depression, anxiety improved after oxytocin, while a second patient on placebo did not change. This is one case.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseAnxiety symptoms
Study
n = 2
Comparator
Placebo patient
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 4 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
as well as in anxiety and depression symptoms, while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period.
Summary · context
In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.
Summary · context
These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3459424502
03HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In a hospitalized patient with depression, oxytocin was followed by significant improvement in depression symptoms, while the placebo patient showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn one patient with depression, depression symptoms improved after oxytocin, while a second patient on placebo did not change. This is one case.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseDepression symptoms
Study
n = 2
Comparator
Placebo patient
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 4 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
as well as in anxiety and depression symptoms, while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period.
Summary · context
In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.
Summary · context
These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3459424503
04HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In two patients with depression, one given oxytocin and one placebo, therapeutic alliance ratings showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn two patients with depression, one on oxytocin and one on placebo, alliance ratings with the therapist did not change significantly.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeTherapeutic alliance ratings
Study
n = 2
Comparator
Placebo patient
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 4 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
while both patients showed no significant changes in the therapeutic alliance ratings
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.
Summary · context
These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3459424504
05HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In the oxytocin patient, the therapist regularly reported positive changes in alliance in the medical notes, while no such report was seen in the placebo patient.
In plain wordsIn the patient given oxytocin, the therapist noted positive changes in the working relationship; no such notes were seen for the placebo patient.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseTherapist-noted alliance change in medical notes
Study
n = 2
Comparator
Placebo patient
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 4 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
the therapist of the OT patient regularly reported positive changes in alliance in the medical notes, while no such report was observed in the placebo patient.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.
Summary · context
These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3459424505

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.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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