NCT02737254

Oxytocin and Attachment-related Interpretation Bias

The Effect of Oxytocin on the Training of Attachment-related Interpretation Bias in Middle Childhood

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years – 13 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oxytocin and a cognitive bias modification (CBM) procedure on children's trust in their mother.

Detailed description

Previous research has shown that children can be trained to interpret ambiguous interactions with mother in a more secure way by use of a CBM procedure. A secure attachment-related processing bias can causally increase children's trust in mother's availability. The present study tests whether intranasal administration of oxytocin can increase the effect of a secure cognitive bias training. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is involved in human attachment and bonding. Intranasal administration of oxytocin can increase trust among people. After oxytocin or placebo administration, children are either trained to interpret ambiguous interactions with mother in a secure way or receive a neutral training unrelated to interpretation of maternal behavior. Pre- and post-intervention children's trust in mother, support seeking behavior and interpretation of maternal behavior is assessed. Moreover, possible oxytocin side-effects will be monitored.

Conditions

• Trust

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Oxytocin	40 IU/ML nasal spray. One administration: children \<40kg administer 12IU, children \>40kg administer 24IU.
DRUG	Placebo	NaCl 0,9 % nasal spray.
OTHER	Secure CBM training	Children are trained to interpret ambiguous maternal behavior in a secure way.
OTHER	Neutral CBM training	Children receive a training unrelated to the interpretation of maternal behavior.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-03-01
• Primary completion: 2016-10-01
• Completion: 2016-10-01
• First posted: 2016-04-13
• Last updated: 2016-11-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Belgium