Monika Eckstein
Papers
1
Total Citations
122
H-Index
1
About
Monika Eckstein is a leading researcher in the affective and social neuroscience of touch, with a focus on how tactile interactions influence emotional regulation and stress responses. Her work bridges human, animal, and robotic interaction, exploring how even brief, everyday gestures like a tap on the shoulder can calm the nervous system and promote mental well-being. Her most cited paper, "Calming Effects of Touch in Human, Animal, and Robotic Interaction—Scientific State-of-the-Art and Technical Advances" (2020, 122 citations), provides a comprehensive synthesis of the field, highlighting the physiological and psychological mechanisms behind touch’s soothing power. This work has become a foundational reference for researchers studying the therapeutic potential of touch and its integration into human-robot interaction. Eckstein’s contributions are particularly timely as intelligent robots become more common in households, raising critical questions about how artificial agents can use touch to support human health. Her research not only advances fundamental science but also informs the design of empathetic, stress-reducing technologies, making her a key voice at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and robotics.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1