Is mother-infant interbrain synchrony affected by maternal touch?

• Grant number: 25/11338-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Physiological Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Alexandra Caldas Osório
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Marsola Eloys
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06693-4 - The importance of social touch for infant social-emotional development: integrating neuroimaging, psychophysiological, endocrine, and behavioral evidence, AP.JP2

Abstract

When interacting, human beings tend to synchronize not only their behavior but also their physiological and neural activity, with several authors proposing that such interpersonal synchrony promotes positive emotional exchanges and social understanding, while also strengthening emotional bonds. Researchers argue that the first context in which this behavioral and biological synchrony occurs is the relationship between the infant and their caregivers (Feldman, 2015; Feldman, Weller, Zagoory-Sharon, & Levine, 2007). A noteworthy set of studies concerns the work of Nguyen and colleagues (2021; 2023). Specifically, the study by Nguyen et al. (2021) showed that physical proximity between mother and infant (4-6 months old) promotes greater neural synchrony between them. Although pioneering and highly relevant, this study has not yet been replicated. This is the main aim of this workplan. (AU)