A positive touch: C-tactile afferent targeted skin stimulation carries an appetitive motivational value.

摘要: The rewarding sensation of touch in affiliative interactions is hypothesised to be underpinned by an unmyelinated system nerve fibres called C-tactile afferents (CTs). CTs are velocity tuned, responding optimally slow, gentle touch, typical a caress. Here we used evaluative conditioning examine whether CT activation carries positive affective value. A set neutral faces were paired with robotically delivered the forearm. With half was at optimal 3cm/s (CT touch) and other faster, non-CT 30cm/s (Control touch). Heart-rate skin conductance responses (SCRs) recorded throughout. Whilst rated equally approachable pre-conditioning, post-conditioning judged significantly more than those Control touch. also elicited greater heart-rate deceleration lower amplitude SCRs results indicate value, which can acquired socially relevant stimuli it associated with.