Effects of the characteristic temperament of cats on the emotions and hemodynamic responses of humans.

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  • Author(s): Nagasawa T;Nagasawa T; Ohta M; Ohta M; Uchiyama H; Uchiyama H
  • Source:
    PloS one [PLoS One] 2020 Jun 25; Vol. 15 (6), pp. e0235188. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 25 (Print Publication: 2020).
  • Publication Type:
    Clinical Trial; Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Public Library of Science Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101285081 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1932-6203 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19326203 NLM ISO Abbreviation: PLoS One Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: San Francisco, CA : Public Library of Science
    • Subject Terms:
    • Abstract:
      Cats positive effects on their owners' physiological and psychological health, including improved mood and activation of the human prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus in the brain. However, the association between the health benefits provided by cat ownership and the characteristic behaviors and reactions of cats is unclear. We recruited 29 participants to measure human prefrontal cortex activity, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, during interactions with a cat. After the experiments, participants subjectively responded to a questionnaire regarding success rates for interactions with the cat, and completed the Self-assessment Manikin-a scale used to measure emotion. Interactions comprised eight types in four categories (touch, play, train, and feed). This study showed that interactions with a cat significantly activated the prefrontal cortex, regardless of interaction type. During training, the integral values of oxygenated hemoglobin in the left inferior frontal gyrus were the highest in all the interaction categories; however, success rates were lower than in the touch and feed interactions. Regarding the Self-assessment Manikin scores, all interaction categories showed a positive correlation between success rate and valence score, especially in the train and play interactions than in the touch and feed interactions. These results indicate that interactions with a cat activate the prefrontal cortex in humans, including the inferior frontal gyrus region. Moreover, cats' autonomous behaviors and reactions positively influenced the participants. The characteristic temperament of cats may be a key factor influencing the health benefits of owning cats.
      Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20200626 Date Completed: 20200831 Latest Revision: 20200831
    • Publication Date:
      20240105
    • Accession Number:
      PMC7316254
    • Accession Number:
      10.1371/journal.pone.0235188
    • Accession Number:
      32584860