The researchers were surprised to find that the interaction with the seal-like robot also reduced the levels of oxytocin

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that brief encounters with a furry seal-like robot called PARO reduced pain and oxytocin levels and increased happiness in patients.
In several previous studies it was found that interpersonal contact with another person strengthens the mood and reduces pain. But what happens when normal person-to-person contact is not possible, as is the case nowadays for populations at risk in the midst of the Corona epidemic? Could a furry social robot cause a similar effect? A team of researchers led by Dr. Sheli Levy-Tzedek from the Department of Physiotherapy set out to find out in a new study. The findings of the study were published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.
PARO is a social robot in the shape of a white and furry seal, made in Japan. He makes seal-like sounds and moves his head and paws in response to being touched and spoken to.
Dr. Levy-Tzedek and her team found that a one-time interaction with PARO, which lasted less than an hour, did improve mood and reduce mild and severe pain. When participants in the experiment touched PARO, they experienced greater pain reduction than when the robot was just present in the room with them.
Surprisingly, they also found that lower levels of oxytocin were measured in the participants who interacted with PARO compared to the control group that did not meet PARO at all.
High levels of oxytocin, sometimes known as the 'love hormone', are measured in mothers who are close to their children and between partners in love, therefore the finding of a lower level of oxytocin is surprising. However, more recent studies have shown that outside of close relationships, oxytocin production indicates stress and therefore a reduction can indicate calmness and relaxation.
83 healthy young people participated in the experiment. As part of it, the researchers created a sensation of pain using spot heat to the skin of the arm, and measured the sensation of pain in response to a certain temperature. The researchers examined how the sensation of pain changes depending on whether the experiment participants touch the robot, it is present, or it is not present at all.
The experiment was carried out by Dr. Nirit Geva, a physiotherapist specializing in the field of pain from Dr. Levy-Tzedek's laboratory. The research partner is Dr. Florina Yosfovsky from the Department of Psychology at Ben-Gurion University.
Dr. Levy-Tzedek said: "These findings offer new strategies for treating pain and improving personal well-being, which are especially necessary at this time, when social distancing is a decisive factor in public health and there are fewer opportunities for human contact."
This research was supported by the National Science Foundation (Grants No. 535/16 and 2166/16), the Israel Pain Society, the Helmsley Foundation through the ABC Robotics Initiative, the Marcus Foundation at Ben-Gurion University, the Rosetrees Foundation, the Borten Family Foundation, and the United Anti-Aging Foundation ( CAAF). Financial support was also provided by the European Union, within the framework of the research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant no. 754340.
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Pretty old. Information for advertisement.
Many years ago they discovered in a particularly cruel study that small monkeys find comfort in a furry figure that shakes them.
But every parent knows how to give their child a teddy bear or a blanket. There are also adults who like teddy bears or hug a pillow or a blanket.
The question is how much the robot adds in its movement over a normal bear.
Amazing and happy. When will it be distributed in hospitals and clinics in Israel??
From my personal experience, and this is not a scientific study:
You can distract the brain from causing a feeling of pain by listening to music in headphones at a loud enough volume..
With a headache / fever - it is better to get out of bed (like the bear effect)
What a wonderful new world
Pets improve health this has been known for many years