Combining oxytocin and cognitive bias modification training in a randomized controlled trial: Effects on trust in maternal support

Martine W.F.T. Verhees*, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg, Eva Ceulemans, Simon de Winter, Tara Santens, Kaat Alaerts, Kristina Casteels, Elske Salemink, Johan Verhaeghe, Guy Bosmans

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Background and objectives: Research on the social effects of intranasal oxytocin in children is scarce. Oxytocin has been proposed to have clearer beneficial effects when added to social learning paradigms. The current study tested this proposition in middle childhood by assessing effects of cognitive bias modification (CBM) training and oxytocin on trust in maternal support. Methods: Children (N = 100, 8–12 years) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: CBM training aimed at increasing trust or neutral placebo training. Within each training condition, half the participants received oxytocin and half a placebo. Main and interaction effects were assessed on measures of trust-related interpretation bias and trust. We explored whether child characteristics moderated intervention effects. Results: Children in the CBM training were faster to interpret maternal behaviour securely versus insecurely. Effects did not generalize to interpretation bias measures or trust. There were no main or interaction effects of oxytocin. Exploratory moderation analyses indicated that combining CBM training with oxytocin had less positive effects on trust for children with more internalizing problems. Limitations: As this was the first study combining CBM and oxytocin, replication of the results is needed. Conclusions: This study combined a social learning paradigm with oxytocin in children. CBM training was effective at an automatic level of processing. Oxytocin did not enhance CBM effects or independently exert effects. Research in larger samples specifying when oxytocin might have beneficial effects is necessary before oxytocin can be used as intervention option in children.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101514
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
Volume66
Early online date24 Sept 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2020

Funding

This work was supported by grants G.0774.15 and G.0757.18 from Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and CREA/12/004 from Research Fund KU Leuven . MJBK was supported by an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council . The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

FundersFunder number
Research Fund KU Leuven
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme669249
European Research Council
Fonds Wetenschappelijk OnderzoekCREA/12/004
KU Leuven

    Keywords

    • Attachment
    • Cognitive bias modification
    • Middle childhood
    • Oxytocin
    • Randomized controlled trial
    • Trust

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