TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of Oxytocin administration on patient-therapist alliance congruence
T2 - Results from a randomized controlled trial
AU - Grossman-Giron, Ariella
AU - Fisher, Hadar
AU - Atzil-Slonim, Dana
AU - Maoz, Hagai
AU - Nitzan, Uri
AU - Tzur Bitan, Dana
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Society for Psychotherapy Research.
PY - 2024/11
Y1 - 2024/11
N2 - Objectives: The effects of oxytocin (OT) administration on psychotherapeutic processes have thus far been elusive. This study explored the effect of OT administration on patient-therapist congruence of the working alliance. Method: Inpatients with mental disorders (N = 87) participating in a randomized controlled trial received OT (n = 44) or placebo (n = 43) intranasally twice a day, for four weeks. Patients and therapists rated the alliance after each session. Results: Oxytocin significantly moderated the level of agreement (b = −0.56, SE = 0.25, t = −2.30, p = 0.02), such that patients receiving OT demonstrated lower discrepancy (b = −0.73, p < 0.001) than did those receiving placebo (b = −1.30, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the mutual covariance of patient-therapist ratings across sessions was positive and significant for patients receiving placebo (b = 0.26, p = 0.01) but not for patients in the OT group (b = −0.06, p =.56). Conclusion: Oxytocin can reduce discrepancies of patient-therapist perceptions of the alliance, although additional studies are needed to explore OT's effect on alliance development over time. As alliance congruence is associated with therapy outcomes, such intervention may lead to enhancement of therapeutic gains.
AB - Objectives: The effects of oxytocin (OT) administration on psychotherapeutic processes have thus far been elusive. This study explored the effect of OT administration on patient-therapist congruence of the working alliance. Method: Inpatients with mental disorders (N = 87) participating in a randomized controlled trial received OT (n = 44) or placebo (n = 43) intranasally twice a day, for four weeks. Patients and therapists rated the alliance after each session. Results: Oxytocin significantly moderated the level of agreement (b = −0.56, SE = 0.25, t = −2.30, p = 0.02), such that patients receiving OT demonstrated lower discrepancy (b = −0.73, p < 0.001) than did those receiving placebo (b = −1.30, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the mutual covariance of patient-therapist ratings across sessions was positive and significant for patients receiving placebo (b = 0.26, p = 0.01) but not for patients in the OT group (b = −0.06, p =.56). Conclusion: Oxytocin can reduce discrepancies of patient-therapist perceptions of the alliance, although additional studies are needed to explore OT's effect on alliance development over time. As alliance congruence is associated with therapy outcomes, such intervention may lead to enhancement of therapeutic gains.
KW - alliance congruence
KW - oxytocin
KW - randomized controlled trial
KW - therapeutic alliance
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85174281943&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10503307.2023.2269300
DO - 10.1080/10503307.2023.2269300
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C2 - 37856680
AN - SCOPUS:85174281943
SN - 1050-3307
JO - Psychotherapy Research
JF - Psychotherapy Research
ER -