Amanda Luong

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About

Amanda Luong is a researcher in the field of tactile perception and affective touch, with a focus on understanding how gentle, stroking touch is processed by the human nervous system. Her work centers on the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying the perception of pleasant touch, particularly through C-tactile (CT) afferents—slow-conducting nerve fibers that respond to gentle, caressing stimuli. Luong’s major contribution is the identification and validation of the "individual preferred velocity" of stroking touch as a stable, measurable parameter, demonstrating that people consistently prefer a specific speed of gentle touch, which aligns with the optimal firing rate of CT afferents. This finding, published in her most-cited paper (29 citations), has significant implications for understanding social bonding, emotional well-being, and therapeutic touch interventions. Her research bridges neuroscience and psychology, offering insights into how tactile experiences shape human connection. Luong’s work is notable for its methodological rigor, using psychophysical and physiological measures to establish touch preferences as reliable individual traits. Her contributions are foundational for future studies on touch in development, aging, and clinical populations, making her a key voice in the growing field of affective somatosensation.