Intranasal Oxytocin and Enhancement of Team Cohesion

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study attempts to identify the psychological, behavioral, physiological, and hormonal predictors and mechanisms of an individual's ability to develop cohesion in a group working together as a team; and examine if administration of the prosocial neuropeptide oxytocin enhances the development of team cohesion. Through a deeper understanding of the underlying psychobiological predictors and mechanisms of team cohesion, the prospective identification of individuals whose unique characteristics promote or inhibit the development of group cohesion will become possible.

Detailed Description
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The investigators will study up to one thousand subjects who will be randomized into same-gendered teams of three or volunteer as acquainted groups of three . Teams will be randomized to receive oxytocin or placebo. The investigators will first measure baseline personality traits including prosocial orientation. Cohesion will then be measured using a cooperative, virtual unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying mission. All online behavior will be recorded within the task and all offline, real world, behavior will be video recorded throughout the study by digital cameras for later behavioral coding. To measure biobehavioral synchrony, autonomic physiology will be recorded and saliva samples will be taken throughout behavioral testing.

Official Title
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Psychobiological Assessment and Enhancement of Team Cohesion and Psychological Resilience Using a Virtual Team Cohesion Test.

Conditions
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Unit Cohesion

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Oxytocin
* Other: Placebo comparator


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-28 Speak English Ability to use a nasal spray Exclusion Criteria: Positive urine pregnancy test History of psychiatric or neurologic disorder Use of illicit drugs in the past month History of moderate-severe alcohol use disorder as defined by DSM-V criteria Sensitivity to preservatives (in particular E 216, E 218 and chlorobutanol hemihydrate) Nasal obstruction, discharge, or bleeding Habitually drinks large volumes of water Taking testosterone, estrogen/progesterone supplement, or serotonin-1a receptor agonists/antagonists Currently meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-V) criteria for severe major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 28 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: SOLO arm and ECHO arm -- Acquainted, Unacquainted
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>Treatment group will receive either 20IU or 40IU intranasal oxytocin | Drug: Oxytocin<br>* 20 International Units Intranasal Oxytocin<br>* Other names: Syntocinon;|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Placebo group will receive a saline nasal spray | Other: Placebo comparator<br>* Saline nasal spray<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in score on computer game task | Subjects will work together in groups of 2-4 performing a computer-based task flying a virtual plane. | Baseline, 2 hours after drug/placebo administration | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change is psychophysiological output | Cardiac measures (HRV, Impedance) collected during computer based and group activities | Time based variability analyzed for 5 minute or 20 minute events | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cohesion, Oxytocin, Trust, Virtual-reality