The Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin on the Association Between Couple Interaction and Sleep: A Placebo-Controlled Study. Issue 6 (27th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doerr, Johanna M.; Klaus, Kristina; Troxel, Wendy; Nater, Urs M.; Bodenmann, Guy; Heinrichs, Markus; Ehlert, Ulrike; Ditzen, Beate
• Is Part Of: Psychosomatic medicine. Volume 84:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 727
• Page End: 737
• Publication Date: 2022-07-27
• Subjects: sleep quality -- oxytocin -- couple interaction -- ecological momentary assessment -- B = unstandardized coefficient (increase/decrease in outcome with 1 increase in predictor) -- EMA = ecological momentary assessment -- HPA = hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis -- ICC = intraclass correlation -- IU = international units -- NPAT = no partnership appreciation task -- OT = oxytocin -- PAT = partnership appreciation task; Medicine, Psychosomatic -- Periodicals; 616.0805
• DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3174

Abstract

Abstract : We investigated the association between couple interaction and sleep quality, as well as the modulation of this association by intranasal oxytocin. Data were gathered using an ecological momentary assessment design in 80 heterosexual couples. Results show that persons (especially men) who reported more satisfactory couple interaction also report better sleep quality. Furthermore, persons receiving oxytocin reported better sleep quality, and oxytocin promoted the association between couple interaction and fsleep quality (especially in women). ABSTRACT: Objective: Although most people in romantic relationships cosleep, biosocial modulators of sleep quality have only recently come into focus. Oxytocin (OT) might be one such modulator, as it had been shown to increase social attachment and safety. We investigated the association between everyday life couple interaction and sleep quality, as well as the effects of OT on this association. Methods: Eighty heterosexual couples ( N = 160 individuals, mean [standard deviation] age = 28 [5] years) were randomized to self-administer a) 32 international units of intranasal OT or b) placebo during 5 consecutive days. Each morning, they reported on sleep quality, and on subjective feelings of closeness and valence of couple interaction at a maximum of four times a day. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear models. Results: Subjective closeness ( B = 0.43, t (73) = 3.80, p < .001) and valence (negative − positive) of couple interaction ( B = 0.50, t (73) = 3.91, p < .001) were positively associated with sleep quality. Persons with OT reported higher levels of sleep quality than those without ( B = 0.47, t (74) = 2.32, p = .023). The association between closeness and sleep quality was stronger with OT than without (OT by closeness: B = 0.31, t (72) = 2.29, p = .025; OT by valence of interaction: B = 0.27, t (72) = 1.77, p = .081). Whereas the effect of couple interaction on sleep quality was strong in men, the OT effects were especially pronounced in women. Conclusions: Our results suggest that enhancing closeness and positive couple interaction in cosleeping partners might be a way to improve sleep quality. The moderating effects of OT and sex on the association between couple interaction and sleep quality can have important implications for sleep therapy. Trial Registration: The study was preregistered at ClinicalTrials.gov ("Oxytocin, Couple Interaction, and Wound Healing" study, identifier NCT01594775). The present analyses were not preregistered.