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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 39 · 2022

3 results

The effect of intranasal oxytocin on processing emotional stimuli during alcohol withdrawal: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial.

Melby K, Spigset O, Gråwe RW, Aamo TO, Quintana DS

Hormones and behavior13 Oct 2022Cited by 3 (Europe PMC)

PMID36242831 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105268 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-36242831
Publisher pagePubMedAsk about this study
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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: CC BY-NC-ND. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study3

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

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In an exploratory analysis in alcohol-dependent patients in withdrawal, oxytocin might improve RMET negative emotion subscale performance (uncorrected p = 0.038).

    In plain wordsIn people withdrawing from alcohol, an exploratory check hinted that oxytocin might help with negative emotions in the eyes test, compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseRMET negative emotion subscale
    Study

    n = 39

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 IU twice daily · intranasal · 3 daysAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    exploratory analyses provided preliminary evidence that oxytocin might improve performance on the RMET negative emotion subscale (uncorrected p value = 0.038)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 39 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
    Summary · context
    Participants were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo, twice daily for three days.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In an exploratory subgroup of patients drinking at least 20 alcohol units per day, oxytocin treatment might show the most promise (uncorrected p = 0.023).

    In plain wordsIn people withdrawing from alcohol who drank the most, an exploratory check hinted that oxytocin might help most, compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseRMET performance in high alcohol consumers
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 IU twice daily · intranasal · 3 daysAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and that oxytocin treatment might show the most promise for those with high levels of alcohol consumption (i.e., ≥20 alcohol units per day; uncorrected p value = 0.023
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 39 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
    Summary · context
    Participants were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo, twice daily for three days.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In alcohol-dependent patients in withdrawal, intranasal oxytocin did not improve RMET performance versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn people withdrawing from alcohol, oxytocin did not improve the ability to read emotions from eyes, compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeRMET performance (theory of mind)
    Study

    n = 39

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 IU twice daily · intranasal · 3 daysAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Frequentist and Bayesian statistical inference suggested that oxytocin administration during alcohol withdrawal in alcohol-dependent patients did not improve RMET performance.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 39 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
    Summary · context
    Participants were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo, twice daily for three days.

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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