Identification of brain activation sites during active touch with stress balls using fMRI

Abstract Currently, more than one-third of adults worldwide experience anxiety daily. Active touch, such as petting animals or self-touching, is one way to cope. These touches are believed to activate anxiety regulation mechanisms, with prior research suggesting that repeated hand-holding can protect the nervous system from hyperarousal. Recently, stress balls have been used to reduce pain and anxiety during endoscopy and in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and their effectiveness has been reported; however, the mechanisms of brain function when holding a stress ball have not been clarified. Our findings showed significant activation in the anterior insula and amygdala, suggesting that these brain regions are closely related to relaxation effects and anxiety reduction.