Is the "social hormone" oxytocin relevant to psychotherapy treatment outcomes? A systematic review of observational and experimental studies.

Hohl CH, Zilcha-Mano S, Delgadillo J

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews30 Oct 2024Cited by 7 (Europe PMC)

PMID39481670DOI10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105935PepBankPUB-39481670

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

BackgroundOxytocin, popularly known as the "social hormone", has wide implications for the regulation of socially relevant cognitions, emotions and behaviors. Individual differences in oxytocin may be relevant to mental health treatment outcomes, given the centrality of the therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy.MethodsThis systematic review aimed to synthesize findings from psychotherapy studies that examined oxytocin measurement and augmentation methods and their association with treatment outcomes. The methodology was preregistered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/xtyvc/?view_only=2bc37dc0b2cd41f8939e2964bd8b884f). Five databases were searched on 30th of March 2023 (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Medline, PsycINFO). Eligible studies were assessed for risk of bias and findings were summarized using narrative synthesis and vote counting methods.ResultsOverall, 24 studies (n=881 participants) including experimental and observational designs and covering various diagnostic groups were reviewed. Findings from 9 studies (n=406) indicate that oxytocin measures were associated with psychotherapy treatment outcomes for depression, and oxytocin-augmentation improved depression outcomes. Results regarding other mental disorders were mixed and inconclusive.DiscussionCurrent evidence indicates that oxytocin-augmented psychotherapy for depression warrants further research. Currently there is not sufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions regarding the clinical relevance of oxytocin in the context of other disorders. Key limitations are the lack of meta-analytic synthesis and small sample sizes for primary studies.

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

Results from this study3

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a systematic review of psychotherapy studies, oxytocin augmentation improved depression outcomes.
In plain wordsIn a review of studies in depression, adding oxytocin to psychotherapy was reported to improve depression outcomes.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableDepression outcomes with oxytocin augmentation of psychotherapy
Study
n = 406
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Findings from 9 studies (n=406) indicate that oxytocin measures were associated with psychotherapy treatment outcomes for depression, and oxytocin-augmentation improved depression outcomes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Overall, 24 studies (n=881 participants) including experimental and observational designs and covering various diagnostic groups were reviewed.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3948167002

Natural levels measured1

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

02HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther
In a systematic review of psychotherapy studies, measures of oxytocin were associated with treatment outcomes for depression.
In plain wordsIn a review of studies in depression, the body's own oxytocin measures were linked to psychotherapy outcomes.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableAssociation of oxytocin measures with psychotherapy outcomes for depression
Study
n = 406
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Findings from 9 studies (n=406) indicate that oxytocin measures were associated with psychotherapy treatment outcomes for depression
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Overall, 24 studies (n=881 participants) including experimental and observational designs and covering various diagnostic groups were reviewed.
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3948167001

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Oxytocin.

03HumanNot a test of Oxytocin aloneSystematic reviewOther
In a systematic review of psychotherapy studies, results on oxytocin (measurement and augmentation) in other mental disorders were mixed and inconclusive.
In plain wordsIn a review, results on oxytocin in mental disorders other than depression were mixed and inconclusive.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
MixedOxytocin measurement and augmentation in other mental disorders
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Results regarding other mental disorders were mixed and inconclusive.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Overall, 24 studies (n=881 participants) including experimental and observational designs and covering various diagnostic groups were reviewed.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3948167003

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, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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Keywords

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