Scientists have developed a gadget to relieve stress (2 photos)

Engineers at Cornell University have developeda device for passively reducing human stress through affective touch. It is attached to the hand and strokes it, thereby reducing stress and anxiety in the wearer.

The gadget is worn over the forearm and usessprings and an electric drive to slowly move a piece of synthetic fur back and forth across the skin. In a single-blind study, 24 volunteers wore the device while performing an adapted version of the Trier Social Stress Test, which consisted of a series of stressful cognitive tasks. The device was activated during the test by the experimental group of 12 participants, but was turned off in the other 12 subjects.

The results showed that in the experimentalgroup experienced about 50% lower levels of perceived stress and anxiety, in line with previous studies that used hand brushes. However, the heart rate in both groups was the same. How this physiological mechanism works is explained by Cornell researcher Iran Zhao:

“Combing the hairy skin activates the typemechanoreceptor, C-tactile, responsible for social touch. We develop C-tactile to convey emotions to each other. It also activates the reward circuitry in the brain and stimulates pleasantness. Together, they help a person regulate emotions and calm down,” he says.

So far, the device looks awkward, but the developers are already thinking about a more suitable design for everyday wear.