A furry social robot can reduce pain and increase happiness

Date:
June 23, 2020
Source:
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Summary:
Researchers have discovered that a single, 60-minute interaction
with PARO actually improved mood as well as reduced mild or severe
pain. When participants touched PARO, they experienced greater
pain reduction than when it was simply present in their room.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Could furry social robots help bolster moods and reduce pain when human
to human contact isn't an option, for example, during a pandemic?

========================================================================== According to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers published in Scientific Reports, a one-time, hour-long
session with a plush, seal-like social robot reduced pain and oxytocin
levels, and increased happiness. The Japanese social robot, PARO, emits seal-like sounds and moves its head and flippers in response to being
spoken to and touched.

Human-to-human contact has been found to bolster mood and reduce pain
in previous studies. Dr. Shelly Levy-Tzedek of the BGU Department
of Physical Therapy and her team investigated whether a furry social
robot could induce similar effects when normal human-to-human contact
is not available.

Levy-Tzedek and her team discovered that a single, 60-minute interaction
with PARO actually improved mood as well as reduced mild or severe
pain. When participants touched PARO, they experienced greater pain
reduction than when it was simply present in their room.

Surprisingly, the BGU researchers discovered lower oxytocin levels in
those who interacted with PARO than in the control group participants,
who did not meet PARO. Typically, oxytocin, sometimes called "the love
homone," is elevated among romantic partners or mothers playing with
their children, so a lower level of oxytocin wasn't expected. However,
more recent studies have shown that outside of close relationships,
oxytocin production is a stress indicator and therefore, a reduction
could indicate relaxation.

"These findings offer new strategies for pain management and for improving well-being, which are particularly needed at this time, when social
distancing is a crucial factor in public health," says Dr. Levy-Tzedek.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Associates,_Ben-Gurion_University_of_the_Negev.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Nirit Geva, Florina Uzefovsky, Shelly Levy-Tzedek. Touching
the social
robot PARO reduces pain perception and salivary oxytocin levels.

Scientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66982-y ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200623100115.htm

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