Not Yet RecruitingPhase 2ACTRN12611000434998

Intranasal Oxytocin and the exploration of eye gaze in people who stutter.

A randomised controlled trial to explore the effects of oxytocin/placebo on eye gaze in adults who stutter.

Sponsor

University of Sydney

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

May 9, 2011

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Stuttering

Summary

The goal of this study is to examine the effect of Oxytocin (OT) in facilitating eye gaze during a speaking task in adults who stutter. Participants who stutter will be randomized to receive 24UI intranasal OT or placebo before giving a speech to a pre-recorded audience. The aim of the procedure is to assess whether participants who receive OT before delivering the speech show a difference in eye gaze than the placebo group. It is predicted that the experimental participants who receive OT will demonstrate increased gaze towards audience members compared with the participants in the placebo group and thus increase access to important social information from the interaction. Secondly the experimental group is hypothesized to report less fear and anxiety following the procedure than the placebo group.

Eligibility

Sex: MalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 75 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study investigates whether intranasal oxytocin (a naturally occurring hormone) affects eye gaze patterns in adult men who stutter. Researchers want to understand how oxytocin might influence the way people who stutter make eye contact during conversations. Participants must be males aged 18-75 who began stuttering before age 12 and have not received treatment for stuttering or anxiety in the past 6 months.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

In a randomised controlled trial participants who stutter will be randomly assigned to receive a single administration (24 international units) of intranasal Oxytocin (Syntocinon) or a placebo nasal spray before presenting a 3 minute speech. This speech will be made to a pre-recorded audience of strangers who were trained to display positive, neutral or negative expressions.