Introducing the Concept of Embodied Interconnectedness: Perspectives on Tactile Massage for Adolescents With...

Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd) often experience difficulties with attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation, which may limit engagement with traditional therapies. Body-based interventions may offer a complementary approach. Over the past two decades, research on affective touch and C-tactile (CT) fibres has advanced understanding of how gentle, slow stroking contributes to emotional regulation, stress reduction, and social bonding. While these studies demonstrate physiological and psychological effects of CT-targeted touch, translation into everyday clinical practice remains limited. In particular, adolescents' experiences of such interventions are rarely explored, and those with adhd are underrepresented. This study aimed to illuminate experiences, potential benefits, and acceptability of a tactile massage intervention for adolescents with adhd through a process evaluation including adolescent and guardian perspectives.

Fourteen adolescents aged 15-17 years diagnosed with adhd were recruited from a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic in Sweden and participated in ten weekly sessions of tactile massage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents (n = 13) and guardians (n = 12) following the intervention. Qualitative data were analysed using interpretive description, including member checking. Descriptive questionnaire data were collected to contextualise experiences of comfort, relaxation, and feasibility.

Embodied interconnectedness emerged as a central concept describing how tactile massage supported integration of bodily sensations, emotional states, and relational safety. Participants described the intervention as a predictable, respectful, and calming caring encounter. Two experiential patterns were identified: (1) the importance of a structured professional ritual within a safe environment and (2) touch as a pathway to calm and increased bodily awareness. Adolescents reported greater attention to internal bodily signals and increased comfort with physical touch over time.

Tactile massage, delivered as a structured affective touch intervention, may support embodied interconnectedness in adolescents with adhd and inform the integration of touch-based approaches into clinical care.