Results of a Bochum study indicate that the so-called bonding hormone oxytocin helps to promote positive group relationships during therapy and alleviate acute loneliness.

Loneliness is a widespread phenomenon that can affect both mental and physical health. Considering the growing recognition of the socio-political and health significance of the issue, a research team led by Prof. Dr. Dirk Scheele, Ruhr University Bochum, and Dr. Jana Lieberz, University Hospital Bonn, conducted a study on the beneficial effects of oxytocin in the treatment of loneliness. They found that the administration of oxytocin has positive effects on acute loneliness. However, the general feeling of loneliness was not affected. The study was conducted in cooperation with researchers from the Universities of Oldenburg, Freiburg and Haifa (Israel). The researchers published their findings in the journal “Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics” on May 16, 2024.

In medicine and psychology, loneliness is defined as an emotional reaction resulting from a perceived lack of social connections. “Loneliness is not an illness, but a completely normal feeling that everyone experiences from time to time,” explains Dirk Scheele, Principal Investigator at the Research Department of Neuroscience (RDN) at RUB. “However, when loneliness becomes chronic, the risk of mental disorders increases, as does the general risk of mortality.” In view of the considerable impact of loneliness on individuals and society, there is an urgent need to better understand the neurobiological basis of loneliness in order to develop targeted treatment measures, says the scientist.

Oxytocin is commonly referred to as the “cuddle hormone”

In a previous study, it was discovered that lonely people show a lower release of the hormone oxytocin during positive interactions. “In our study, we wanted to find out whether the effect of group psychotherapy is increased by administering this bonding hormone to the volunteers beforehand," explains Dirk Scheele. "Oxytocin seemed particularly suitable in this context because it is known for its role in bonding and well-being. It can reduce stress, decrease the sensation of pain, and also dampen anxiety. The body naturally releases the hormone during gentle touch, for example, which is why it is colloquially known as the "cuddle hormone".

The study therefore combined modular-based psychotherapy, which involved a total of five group sessions, with the administration of oxytocin. The psychotherapy focused on critical psychological phenomena of long-lasting loneliness, while oxytocin was investigated as a possible pharmacological adjunct.
A total of 78 participants with high levels of perceived loneliness took part in the study. They were divided into two groups: One group was given the hormone oxytocin via a nasal spray. The other group received a placebo product without the active ingredient as a control group.

Increase in positive bonding and decrease in state loneliness

As expected, volunteers reported less chronic loneliness and stress after five weeks of weekly therapy sessions – regardless of the hormone administration. What was surprising for the researchers was that oxytocin had no enhancing effect on the therapeutic success of general loneliness and stress. But there were two other effects that were observed. "The volunteers who had received oxytocin were faster at building a positive bond with other group members," explains Jana Lieberz. "The participants also reported a stronger reduction in state loneliness directly after the sessions."

The research team now wants to investigate whether and how these positive effects of the hormone oxytocin can also be transferred to the chronic form of loneliness. "One approach could be that the hormone helps patients to stay on track in their psychotherapy and thus improve therapy success over longer treatment periods. However, this needs to be investigated in further studies”, explains Scheele. "We are also interested in whether chronic loneliness and stress can have other effects that have so far received little attention. For example, we want to examine whether loneliness can influence the processing of social touch."

Funding:
This work was supported by grants from the German Israeli Foundation (GIF) for scientific research and development and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Original publication:
Ruben Berger et al.: Oxytocin-Augmented Modular-Based Group Intervention for Loneliness: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial, in: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2024, DOI: 10.1159/000538752.

Link to publication:
https://karger.com/pps/article/doi/10.1159/000538752/907413/Oxytocin-Augmented-Modular-Based-Group

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dirk Scheele
Department of Social Neuroscience
Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr
Faculty of Medicine
Ruhr University Bochum
Tel: +49 (0)234 32-28696
Email: dirk.scheele@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Text:
Anke Maes

Photo:
Pexels via Pixabay