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The effects of combined oxytocin and cognitive behavioral social skills training on social cognition in schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2018

Gregory P. Strauss ,
Eric Granholm ,
Jason L. Holden ,
Ivan Ruiz ,
James M. Gold ,
Deanna L. Kelly  and
Robert W. Buchanan
Gregory P. Strauss*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
Eric Granholm
Affiliation:
VA San Diego Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
Jason L. Holden
Affiliation:
VA San Diego Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
Ivan Ruiz
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA VA San Diego Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
James M. Gold
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Deanna L. Kelly
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Robert W. Buchanan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Gregory P. Strauss, E-mail: gstrauss@uga.edu
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Abstract

Background

Individuals with schizophrenia have deficits in social cognition that are associated with poor functional outcome. Unfortunately, current treatments result in only modest improvement in social cognition. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide with pro-social effects, has significant benefits for social cognition in the general population. However, studies examining the efficacy of oxytocin in schizophrenia have yielded inconsistent results. One reason for inconsistency may be that oxytocin has typically not been combined with psychosocial interventions. It may be necessary for individuals with schizophrenia to receive concurrent psychosocial treatment while taking oxytocin to have the context needed to make gains in social cognitive skills.

Methods

The current study tested this hypothesis in a 24-week (48 session) double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that combined oxytocin and Cognitive-Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST), which included elements from Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT). Participants included 62 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (placebo n = 31; oxytocin n = 31) who received 36 IU BID, with supervised administration 45 min prior to sessions on CBSST group therapy days. Participants completed a battery of measures administered at 0, 12, and 24 weeks that assessed social cognition.

Results

CBSST generally failed to enhance social cognition from baseline to end of study, and there was no additive benefit of oxytocin beyond the effects of CBSST alone.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that combined CBSST and oxytocin had minimal benefit for social cognition, adding to the growing literature indicating null effects of oxytocin in multi-dose trials. Methodological and biological factors may contribute to inconsistent results across studies.

Keywords

Oxytocinpsychosissocial cognition
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 49 , Issue 10 , July 2019 , pp. 1731 - 1739
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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