As the coronavirus pandemic leaves many missing the warmth of human embrace, BGU scientists find robots can help those suffering through pain when there’s nobody to hold their hand.
As the coronavirus pandemic leaves many missing the warmth of human embrace, BGU scientists find robots can help those suffering through pain when there’s nobody to hold their hand.
As part of the study, participants exposed their skin to high temperatures. Findings indicated that with the companionship and touch of a furry robot, the subjects experienced pain less intensely.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports, this research represents “an early step in the direction of robotized pain relief,” says Dr. Shelly Levy-Tzedek, head of the Cognition, Aging and Rehabilitation Lab in BGU’s Department of Physical Therapy and a member of the University’s Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, adding that it adds to a body of research that could make companion-robots commonplace in hospitals and for the elderly.
Human touch is known to have potential to make people feel less pain, but during social distancing restrictions, doctors, nurses, care givers, and other non-relatives who may normally offer physical comfort often won’t, notes Dr. Levy-Tzedek.
Read more at American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Image: 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. (Credit: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)
