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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
Published on: March 15, 2019
Touch targeting C-tactile afferent fibers has a unique physiological pattern: A combined electrodermal and facial
Anbjørn Ree1, Leah M Mayo2, Siri Leknes3
1Department of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
Caress-like touch is thought to rely on C-tactile (CT) fiber signaling. Here, the arousing and emotional effects of CT-optimal touch were assessed via participants' skin conductance level (SCL), facial electromyography (EMG) responses and subjective ratings of pleasantness and intensity. Temporal facial EMG analysis was based on the conduction velocity of CT-fibers. 45 healthy participants received CT-optimal touch, control touch and visual control input during 2-minute trials. CT optimal touch was significantly more pleasant and intense than control touch. In the initial 700 ms of stimulation there was no difference in facial EMG responses to touch. Between 700 and 6300 ms there was a significant reduction of corrugator activity in response to CT optimal touch only, possibly reflecting the affective value of CT optimal touch. Based on the temporal dynamics of the reduced corrugator activity, we suggest that CT fibers are involved in mediating a reduction in corrugator activity.
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