Effects of Romantic Affection on Blood Chemistry and Immune Parameters

Study of the Effects of Romantic Affection on Blood Lipids, Blood Glucose, C-Reactive Protein, and Antibodies to Latent Epstein-Barr Virus

Status

Completed

Phases

Early Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00482404

Enrollment

Unknown

Registered

2007-06-05

Start date

2007-02-28

Completion date

2007-05-31

Last updated

2007-06-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypercholesterolemia, Stress

Brief summary

This trial tests the hypothesis that increasing nonverbal affection in romantic relationships will improve blood lipid parameters (total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides), blood glucose, and immune parameters (C-reactive protein and antibodies to latent Epstein-Barr virus). 52 healthy cohabiting romantic couples took part. In half of the couples, one partner increased the frequency of romantic kissing with the other partner during the six-week trial. The other couples received no such instruction. Blood tests performed before and after the trial were used to assess the health outcomes.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALRomantic kissing

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 18+ years of age; * English-speaking; * Current co-habitation with romantic partner

Exclusion criteria

* History of hypercholesterolemia; * Current pregnancy; * Current use of blood-thinning agents; * Greater than moderate anxiety about giving capillary blood; * Weight of less than 110 pounds

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026