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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
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Stroking and tapping the skin: behavioral and electrodermal effects.

Roberta Etzi1, Carlotta Carta2, Alberto Gallace2

  • 1Department of Psychology and NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126, Milan, Italy. roberta.etzi@unimib.it.

Experimental Brain Research
|December 8, 2017
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Summary

Gentle touch, like slow stroking, increases physiological arousal more than tapping. This study explored tactile stimulation

Keywords:
Affective touchArousalCT afferentsSkin conductanceStrokingTapping

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Touch is a primary form of affection and social bonding.
  • C-Tactile afferents (CTs) are specialized nerve fibers that respond to slow, gentle stroking on hairy skin.
  • The autonomic nervous system's response to different tactile stimuli, including CT-optimal touch, is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how different types of tactile stimulation (stroking vs. tapping, CT-optimal vs. CT-suboptimal) affect physiological arousal.
  • To compare the autonomic responses (skin conductance) to slow and fast stroking.
  • To explore the subjective pleasantness and relaxation associated with different tactile sensations.

Main Methods:

  • Participants received tactile stimulation on their forearm: slow (3 cm/s) or fast (30 cm/s) stroking, and random or fixed spatial order tapping, using a brush for 9 or 60 seconds.
  • Skin conductance response (SCR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were measured.
  • Subjective evaluations of pleasantness, relaxation, and 'social' touch were recorded.

Main Results:

  • Stroking, regardless of velocity, elicited significantly higher SCR and SCL compared to tapping.
  • CT-suboptimal stroking (faster velocity) induced higher SCR than CT-optimal stroking (slower velocity).
  • Slow stroking was rated as the most pleasant, relaxing, and 'social' tactile experience.

Conclusions:

  • Tactile stimulation, particularly stroking, significantly influences physiological arousal and subjective experience.
  • The velocity and type of touch modulate autonomic responses, with slower, gentler touch being perceived as more pleasant and socially engaging.
  • These findings enhance our understanding of the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying hedonic tactile perception and social touch.