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Recruiting Phase 2 NCT06881810

NCT06881810 Enhancing Social Skills in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders - Oxytocin as add-on to Psychosocial Treatment

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06881810
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Sponsor Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
Condition Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD)
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 98 participants
Start Date 2024-08-29
Primary Completion 2028-03-31

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 64 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Oxytocin nasal sprayPlacebo

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.

This trial targets 98 participants in total. It began in 2024-08-29 with a primary completion date of 2028-03-31.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Research on schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) patients with social impairment is essential for improving treatment, enhancing the lives of affected individuals, reducing stigma, and advancing our understanding of this complex psychiatric disorder. A clinical trial focusing on the improvement of social skills in SSD has the potential to transform clinical practice and support systems to better meet the needs of those living with SSD. Because of the role of oxytocin in regulating social behaviors and emotions, the investigator hypothesizes that it is beneficial in addressing the social cognition deficits observed in SSD when combined with psychosocial interventions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 to 64 years 2. Written informed consent (must be available before enrolment in the clinical trial) 3. ICD-11 diagnosis of schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders (6A20-6A25) confirmed by the MINI-DIPS-OA Interview 4. At least one symptom of moderate severity or worse in the PANSS negative subscale (a score ≥ 4 for one or more symptoms from N1-N7 at baseline). 5. In- or outpatient psychosocial treatment on a regular basis at least twice a week during the study 6. Male participants and female participants who are not capable of bearing children or female patients of childbearing potential who use a highly effective birth control method that is medically approved by the health authority at screening. 1\. Age 18 to 64 years 2. Written informed consent (must be available before enrolment in the clinical trial) 3. ICD-11 diagnosis of schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders (6A20-6A25) confirmed by the MINI-DIPS-OA Interview 4. At least one symptom of moderate severity or worse in the PANSS negative subscale (a score ≥ 4 for one or more symptoms from N1-N7 at baseline). 5. In- or outpatient psychosocial treatment on a regular basis at least twice a week during the study 6. Male participants and female participants who are not capable of bearing children or female patients of childbearing potential who use a highly effective birth control method that is medically approved by the health authority at screening. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who are not suitable for the study in the opinion of the investigator (including acutely suicidal patients) 2. Coercive treatment at the time of study inclusion 3. Diagnosis of primary substance dependency other than nicotine: exclusion alcohol dependency via AUDIT-screening (Bohn, Babor et al. 1995; Babor et al. 2001) and ICD- 11 criteria (MINI-DIPS-OA); exclusion of other drug dependencies other than alcohol and nicotine: drug screening of urine and ICD-11 criteria (MINI-interview: patient fulfilling early (\> 3 months) or sustained (\>12 months) remission criteria and/or with low severity of substance use disorder according to MINI (ICD-11) are eligible for the study). 4. Documented intolerance to the study drug or any of its ingredients. 5. Pregnancy (incl. positive urine or blood pregnancy test) / breastfeeding (female patients) or lactating individuals 6. Severe endocrinological disorder besides diabetes 7. Endometriosis 8. Concurrent participation

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Dusan Hirjak, Prof. Dr.

✉ dusan.hirjak@zi-mannheim.de

📞 0621 1703

Principal Investigator

Dusan Hirjak, Prof. Dr.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Institute of Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06881810 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 64 Years, studying Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT06881810 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.

Is NCT06881810 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06881810 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at dusan.hirjak@zi-mannheim.de for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06881810 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Mannheim, Germany.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06881810 clinical trial?

NCT06881810 is sponsored by Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim. The principal investigator is Dusan Hirjak, Prof. Dr. at Central Institute of Mental Health. The trial plans to enroll 98 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology