Synchrony through touch

Psychologists Trinh Nguyen and Stefanie Höhl from the University of Vienna examined the mutual adaptation of brain activity and heart rhythms of mother and child. Trinh Nguyen) - Study examines the role of touch and proximity on the mutual adaptation of brain activity and heart rhythms in mothers and babies Touch is fundamental to interpersonal communication. Until recently, it was unclear how affectionate touch and physical contact affect the brain activity and heart rhythms of mothers and babies. Developmental psychologists Trinh Nguyen and Stefanie Höhl from the University of Vienna have investigated this question in a recent study. Brain activities between mothers and babies were synchronized - especially when they had close physical contact and when the mother stroked the baby lovingly. The heart rhythms of mothers and babies were attuned when they played together. The study is currently published in the journal NeuroImage.