Source: BBC News
Gently stroking a baby reduces activity in their brain associated with painful experiences, a study has found.
The study, by University of Oxford and Liverpool John Moores University, monitored the brain activity of 32 babies while they had blood tests.
Half were stroked with a soft brush beforehand and they showed 40% less pain activity in their brain.
Author Rebeccah Slater said: “Touch seems to have analgesic potential without the risk of side-effects.”
The study found that the optimal pain-reducing stroking speed was about 3cm (1in) per second.
Categories: Brain, Children, Europe, The Muslim Times, UK