Nirit Geva
Papers
2
Total Citations
138
H-Index
2
About
Nirit Geva investigates the intersection of social robotics, psychophysiology, and pain perception, with a focus on how human-robot interaction can modulate emotional and physiological states. Her major contributions center on demonstrating that tactile contact with the social robot PARO can significantly reduce pain perception and stress, while also elevating salivary oxytocin levels—a hormone associated with bonding and well-being. In her landmark 2020 study (119 citations), she provided the first evidence that touching PARO during experimental pain induction not only lowers pain ratings but also boosts oxytocin, paralleling effects seen in human-human and human-animal touch. Her subsequent 2022 work (19 citations) refined this finding by showing that the robot’s interactive state matters: the pain- and stress-reducing effects are significantly stronger when PARO is turned on and responsive, versus when it is turned off. This distinction underscores the importance of perceived social presence in robotic interventions. Geva’s research has profound implications for non-pharmacological pain management and therapeutic robotics, establishing her as a leading voice in affective human-robot interaction and psychophysiological health.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2