Kelly Fredriksen
Papers
2
Total Citations
105
H-Index
2
About
Kelly Fredriksen is a leading researcher in the science of human touch and its profound effects on well-being. Her work systematically explores how tactile interventions—from gentle stroking to massage—influence both mental and physical health. Fredriksen’s major contributions include two landmark meta-analyses that synthesize decades of research. Her 2024 systematic review, with 97 citations, analyzed 137 studies to demonstrate that touch interventions reliably reduce pain, anxiety, and depression while boosting immune function. A companion 2023 paper further compared intervention types, revealing that frequency and duration are critical moderators of effectiveness. Together, these studies provide the most comprehensive evidence to date that touch is not merely comforting but biologically essential. Fredriksen’s work has been pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD42022304281), ensuring methodological rigor, and her findings are shaping clinical guidelines for neonatal care, mental health treatment, and aging populations. By quantifying what many cultures intuitively know—that touch heals—Fredriksen has established herself as a pivotal voice in psychoneuroimmunology and integrative health. Her research invites students to consider how simple, low-cost interventions can transform public health outcomes.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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