Understanding how different types of touch affect feelings of pleasure and pain relief
Official title: Dynamic Evaluation of Neural Mechanisms for Affective Touch: Pathways for Touch-induced Pleasantness and Pain Modulation
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11037957 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how different types of touch, like gentle stroking and firm pressure, can help people feel better and relieve pain, so if you're curious about how massage therapy works and want to contribute to improving pain management, this research might be for you!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $602,855 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT012048-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037957 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic pain or are interested in the effects of touch therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or have conditions that contraindicate touch therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how light stroking and deep pressure, which are key components of massage therapy, influence feelings of pleasure and pain relief. By examining the roles of specific nerve fibers in the skin, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind the effects of touch. Participants may experience various forms of touch while researchers analyze their responses using advanced techniques, including machine learning, to better understand how these sensations are processed in the brain. The ultimate goal is to enhance therapeutic approaches for chronic pain management through a deeper understanding of affective touch.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies and enhanced therapeutic techniques for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of touch on pain modulation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Case, Laura K — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Case, Laura K
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.