Tickling is known as an action that causes some involuntary movements or laughter when a part of the body is touched. Tickling is also something that even the most serious people succumb to. However, researchers have taken this situation very seriously and have signed an interesting study on foot tickling.
THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A DEVICE FOR TICKETING FOOT
Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand developed a device called TickleFoot to evaluate the effects of tickling the feet in both men and women.
The findings showed that women were more sensitive near the center of the arch of the foot, while the toes were the most triggering place in men.
SO LITTLE WAS KNOWN SO FAR
While previous research has shown that tickling can reduce stress, until now little was known about how it differently affects men and women. That’s why the research looks pretty valuable.
To test this, the researchers developed a battery-operated foot-tickling device equipped with small brushes designed to touch different areas of the foot.
Researchers led by Don Samitha Elvitigala, in their study published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, said: “First, we developed an actuator that can produce a tickling sensation across the sole of the foot using magnet-operated brushes. Next, we conducted two studies to identify the most ticklish places on the soles of the feet and the stimulation patterns that could induce laughter.” used the phrases.
A total of 13 participants, 7 female and 6 male, tested the foot tickle device and rated the tickling level they felt in different areas on a seven-point scale.
WOMEN 5.57 POINTS, MEN 3.83 POINTS
The results revealed that women scored an average of 5.57, while men scored an average of 3.83.
Tickling in the middle of the arch in women and around the toes in men scored highest.
Based on the findings, the researchers developed a flexible insole that can be inserted into any shoe and tickle the wearer on demand.
ALLEGED TO SLOW AGING
Previous research has suggested that tickling can be used to relieve stress and depression, while a 2019 study interestingly stated that it could help slow down aging.