Sensory Stimuli Research Articles

Multisensory stimulation (MSS) effectively alleviates procedural pain in neonates during blood sample collection. However, quantitative evidence on the comparative effectiveness of different sensory stimulation types remains limited. This network meta-analysis (NMA) systematically evaluated the efficacy of MSS interventions in reducing neonatal pain during blood sampling. The results aim to provide an evidence-based foundation for selecting optimal clinical pain-management protocols. A NMA of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies using MSS interventions were included. A systematic search was performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP databases from inception to May 14, 2025. Pain scores served as the primary outcome measure and were analyzed as continuous variables. The effect size was calculated using standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (Crl). Bayesian NMA was performed using Stata 18.0 software. A total of 46 RCTs involving 5836 neonates were included. Among these, 11 studies focused on arteriovenous blood collection, examining 7 different MSS types, and 35 studies focused on heel blood collection, examining 8 MSS types. For arteriovenous blood sampling, three interventions showed significantly better pain relief compared to the routine method, with the tactile-taste-kinesthetic intervention demonstrating the greatest effect (SMD = -3.29; 95% credible interval [Crl], -5.47 to -1.12). For heel blood sampling, five interventions were more effective than the routine method, with the tactile-taste-auditory intervention exhibiting the best analgesic effect (SMD = -5.45; 95% credible interval [Crl], -7.44 to -3.47). MSS significantly reduces procedural pain during neonatal blood sampling. Future research should investigate the impact of intervention duration, frequency, timing, and choice of pain-assessment tools to further optimize pain-management strategies in neonates. What is Known: • Blood sampling is a common, painful procedure in neonatal intensive care units. • MSS is effective in alleviating neonatal procedural pain during blood collection. What is New: • The study focused on blood sampling pain to evaluate the most effective interventions for pain relief during arteriovenous and heel blood collections, and to rank various sensory stimuli. • MSS was the primary intervention method examined to determine the optimal approaches.

Sensory balance is the individual's ability to regulate internal and external sensory stimuli to remain in a functional and balanced state. This study aims to explore in depth the experiences of psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims in building sensory balance and well-being. Psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims may be constantly exposed to intense sensory stimuli such as yelling and agitation. It is known that post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout are seen in nurses caring for these individuals; however, it is noteworthy that studies on how this process is reflected sensoryly in individuals are limited. Snowball sampling method was used in this qualitative phenomenological study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 volunteer psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. COREQ guidelines were adhered to throughout the research process. Four categories and a total of eight themes were obtained from the in-depth interviews. "Traces of Traumatic Contact, Emotional Armor and Inner Distance, Transformation through Exhaustion, Institutional Silence and Seeking Solidarity". This study shows that psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims are both professionally and individually traumatized and face the risk of losing their identity. It has also been found that nurses withdraw both sensorially and emotionally and experience burnout. But in some cases this process transforms into the development of awareness and maturity. It was also found that despite adverse working conditions, contact with nature, silence and collegial solidarity played a protective role in rebuilding well-being. This study addresses in depth the sensory, emotional and identity impacts experienced by psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims and draws attention to the effects of these conditions on the process of well-being construction. The results of the study provide important points for the development of education, self-care and institutional support mechanisms to support nurses' well-being.

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a part of the extended amygdala, integrates emotional and arousal-related signals. While GABAergic BNST (GABABNST) neurons have been implicated in promoting transitions from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep to wakefulness, their downstream mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identify a neuronal circuit through which GABABNST neurons promote arousal via projections to a midbrain region known as the deep mesencephalic nucleus (DpMe), located within the broader mesencephalic reticular formation. In male mice, we used a combination of optogenetics, fiber photometry, neural ablation, and tracing approaches to dissect this circuit. Optogenetic stimulation of GABABNST terminals in the DpMe during NREM sleep elicited rapid transitions to wakefulness and increased activity of glutamatergic DpMe (GLUTDpMe) neurons, as assessed by c-Fos expression and calcium imaging. Similarly, an aversive air-puff activated GLUTDpMe neurons, suggesting engagement by emotionally salient stimuli. Ablation of GLUTDpMe neurons markedly attenuated arousal responses triggered by GABABNST stimulation, underscoring their essential role in this circuit. While monosynaptic rabies tracing revealed local input neurons to GLUTDpMe cells, in situ hybridization identified few Vgat-positive interneurons among them. These findings suggest that GABABNST neurons may influence GLUTDpMe neurons through non-canonical GABAergic mechanisms or via more complex local circuits beyond a simple disinhibition model. Together, these findings delineate a previously uncharacterized BNST-DpMe circuit that allows emotionally relevant stimuli to override sleep and promote arousal. This pathway may contribute to stress-related sleep disturbances and represents a potential target for therapeutic treatments for sleep disorders associated with emotional dysregulation.Significant statement We identified a neural circuit by which GABAergic neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (GABABNST neurons) promote rapid transitions from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep to wakefulness via projections to the deep mesencephalic nucleus (DpMe). Optogenetic stimulation of GABABNST neurons or exposure to aversive sensory stimuli activated glutamatergic DpMe (GLUTDpMe) neurons and triggered immediate arousal. Ablation of GLUTDpMe neurons significantly attenuated this response, demonstrating their essential role. While monosynaptic tracing revealed local input neurons to GLUTDpMe neurons, in situ hybridization detected few GABAergic interneurons among them, suggesting that this circuit involves more complex or non-canonical mechanisms beyond simple disinhibition. This BNST-DpMe pathway may underlie stress-related sleep disturbances and represent a promising target for therapeutic intervention.

Background: Dental anxiety is a widespread concern that negatively impacts oral health and quality of life. Patients experiencing dental anxiety often delay or avoid treatment, which can lead to worsening oral conditions and compromised general well-being. Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and key factors associated with dental anxiety among adults attending the outpatient department of Saidu College of Dentistry, Swat. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to May 2024. A total of 384 adults aged 18–65 years were recruited through consecutive non-probability sampling. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89. The tool assessed demographics, nervousness regarding dental visits, anxiety linked to dental instruments and drill sounds, past experiences, social influences, and concerns about pain, outcomes, and costs. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between gender and anxiety-related factors were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: Of the 384 participants, 52.9% were females and 47.1% males. The largest age group was 18–30 years (40%). Fear of dental pain (69%) and nervousness about dental visits (64%) were the most frequently reported sources of anxiety. Delay in dental visits due to anxiety was reported by 60% of participants, while 58% identified drill sounds and 57% identified dental instruments as triggers. Gender differences were significant, with males more likely to report nervousness about visiting the dentist, whereas females showed higher anxiety regarding instruments, drill sounds, and delayed treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Dental anxiety was highly prevalent, primarily driven by fear of pain, nervousness about visits, and sensory stimuli such as instruments and drill sounds. Gender-based differences highlighted the need for tailored interventions, with strategies focusing on reducing sensory triggers for females and addressing nervous anticipation in males. Keywords: Dental anxiety, Dental fear, Gender differences, Nervousness, Sensory triggers.

Abstract Advances in embodied intelligence necessitate the integration of tactile and thermal sensing in artificial sensory systems to enable adaptive human–robot interactions, which compensate for insufficient or entirely unavailable visual information in contact‐haptic operations. Here, a closed‐loop haptic–thermal perception system featuring silver nanowire (AgNW) memristors with dual‐mode pressure‐temperature sensors is presented. Optimized via spin‐coating AgNWs and ALD‐grown Al 2 O 3 encapsulation, AgNW memristors demonstrate bidirectional threshold switching behavior with ultralow leakage current (<1 nA), sub‐1V threshold voltage, and ambient stability. Flexible dual‐mode sensors convert external stimuli into electrical signals, mimicking the human skin's perception of pressure and temperature. Sensory stimuli are processed by AgNW memristor‐based spiking neurons, which can fuse simulated information from dual‐mode sensors into a spike sequence and classify via convolutional neural networks (CNNs), emulating four haptic–thermal perceptual levels in a robot hand—from gentle touch to extreme discomfort. This architecture enables energy‐efficient, low‐latency decision‐making that facilitates artificial nociceptive reflexes for safe human–robot interaction while advancing neuromorphic devices for next‐generation wearable electronics and embodied intelligence.

The role of different sensory stimuli in an at height simulation.

How multimodal sensory stimuli in nighttime jogging environments influence restorative experiences? An empirical study based on physiological and psychological data

Diverse perceptual biases emerge from Hebbian plasticity in a recurrent neural network model.

Musical expertise is often associated with heightened perceptual sensitivity to external sensory stimuli, yet its relationship with internal bodily awareness (interoception) remains elusive. This study examined whether interoceptive ability relates differentially to varying levels of singing expertise and investigated if interoception could predispose individuals to musical skills. Professional singers, amateur singers, and nonsingers completed a heartbeat discrimination task (interoceptive accuracy; IAcc), self-reported interoceptive sensibility assessment, and comprehensive musical competence measures. Results demonstrated a significant positive association between singing expertise and IAcc, which emerged only in professional singers, who significantly outperformed both amateur singers and nonsingers. Regression analyses indicated a moderate predictive role of accumulated singing practice for IAcc among trained singers, with exploratory mediation suggesting emotional awareness may partly account for this relationship. Critically, higher IAcc in nonsingers significantly correlated with superior singing accuracy, suggesting enhanced interoception may facilitate singing competence independently of formal vocal training. Altogether, these findings highlight a dual role of interoception, linking it to expert-level singing-partially mediated by emotional awareness-and independently to musical competence in nonsingers. These results reconcile prior inconsistencies by highlighting the embodied nature of singing and the distinct role of musical expertise, while underscoring inherent musically relevant mechanisms beyond practice alone.

The carotid body is a peripheral chemoreceptor that consists of clusters of chemoreceptive type I cells, glia-like type II cells, afferent and efferent nerves, and sinusoidal capillaries and arterioles. Cells and nerves communicate through reciprocal chemical synapses and electrical coupling that form a “tripartite synapse,” which allows for the process of sensory stimuli within the carotid body involving neurotransmission, autocrine, and paracrine pathways. In this network there are a variety of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators including adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP). Carotid body cells and nerve fibre terminals express ATP receptors, i.e., purinergic receptors. Here we used double immunofluorescence associated with laser confocal microscopy to detect the ATP receptor P2X7 and pannexin 1 (an ATP permeable channel) in the human carotid body, as well as the petrosal and cervical sympathetic ganglia. Immunofluorescence for P2X7r and pannexin 1 forms a broad cellular network within the glomeruli of the carotid body, whose pattern corresponds to that of type II cells. Moreover, both P2X7r and pannexin 1 were also detected in nerve profiles. In the petrosal ganglion, the distribution of P2X7r was restricted to satellite glial cells, whereas in the cervical sympathetic ganglion, P2X7r was found in neurons and glial satellite cells. The role of this purinergic receptor in the carotid body, if any, remains to be elucidated, but it probably provides new evidence for gliotransmission.

Neural activity varies dramatically across time. While such neural variability has been associated with cognition, its relationship with pain remains largely unexplored. Here, we systematically investigated the relationship between neural variability and pain, particularly individual differences in pain intensity discriminability, in six large electroencephalography (EEG) datasets (total N = 633), where healthy volunteers (Datasets 1–5; N = 606) and postherpetic neuralgia patients (Dataset 6; N = 27) received painful or nonpainful sensory stimuli. We found robust correlations between neural variability and interindividual pain intensity discriminability. These correlations were replicable in multiple datasets and seemed not to be caused by stimulus-general factors, as no significant correlations were observed in nonpain modalities. Importantly, variability and amplitude of EEG responses were mutually independent and had distinct temporal and oscillatory profiles in encoding pain intensity discriminability. These findings demonstrate that neural variability is a replicable and potentially preferential indicator of individual differences in pain intensity discriminability, thereby enhancing the understanding of neural encoding of pain intensity discriminability and underscoring the value of neural variability in pain studies.

Neural activity varies dramatically across time. While such neural variability has been associated with cognition, its relationship with pain remains largely unexplored. Here, we systematically investigated the relationship between neural variability and pain, particularly individual differences in pain intensity discriminability, in six large electroencephalography (EEG) datasets (total N = 633), where healthy volunteers (Datasets 1-5; N = 606) and postherpetic neuralgia patients (Dataset 6; N = 27) received painful or nonpainful sensory stimuli. We found robust correlations between neural variability and interindividual pain intensity discriminability. These correlations were replicable in multiple datasets and seemed not to be caused by stimulus-general factors, as no significant correlations were observed in nonpain modalities. Importantly, variability and amplitude of EEG responses were mutually independent and had distinct temporal and oscillatory profiles in encoding pain intensity discriminability. These findings demonstrate that neural variability is a replicable and potentially preferential indicator of individual differences in pain intensity discriminability, thereby enhancing the understanding of neural encoding of pain intensity discriminability and underscoring the value of neural variability in pain studies.

Fixational saccades are modulated in anticipation of several kinds of stimuli and motor actions, suggesting that they can form an overt marker of preparatory state. However, no existing work has studied fixational saccades ahead of spontaneous limb movements in the absence of sensory stimuli, in order to isolate motor preparation from other anticipatory processes (e.g., those related to stimulus processing). Here we examined fixational saccades while participants made self-paced hand and foot movements. We observed that fixational saccade rate steadily dropped prior to either kind of motor action, and recovered immediately after. To examine the relation between this fixational saccade rate signal and other known signals that precede volitional action, we analyzed how this signal related to anticipatory pupil size changes in the same dataset. Replicating previous work, we found steady pupil dilation ahead of limb movements, followed by rapid re-constriction. The amplitude of this pupil signal covaried across individual limb movements with that of the fixational saccade rate signal. The pupil modulations, moreover, followed too shortly after the accompanying fixational saccade rate modulations to be caused by saccade-induced changes in visual input. Together, these observations suggest a joint neural factor influencing both fixational saccade rate and pupil size ahead of limb movements. We discuss possible interpretations of our findings, both specific ones that center on processes of motor planning or temporal expectation, and more general ones that are in terms effort.

Fixational saccades are modulated in anticipation of several kinds of stimuli and motor actions, suggesting that they can form an overt marker of preparatory state. However, no existing work has studied fixational saccades ahead of spontaneous limb movements in the absence of sensory stimuli, in order to isolate motor preparation from other anticipatory processes (e.g., those related to stimulus processing). Here we examined fixational saccades while participants made self-paced hand and foot movements. We observed that fixational saccade rate steadily dropped prior to either kind of motor action, and recovered immediately after. To examine the relation between this fixational saccade rate signal and other known signals that precede volitional action, we analyzed how this signal related to anticipatory pupil size changes in the same dataset. Replicating previous work, we found steady pupil dilation ahead of limb movements, followed by rapid re-constriction. The amplitude of this pupil signal covaried across individual limb movements with that of the fixational saccade rate signal. The pupil modulations, moreover, followed too shortly after the accompanying fixational saccade rate modulations to be caused by saccade-induced changes in visual input. Together, these observations suggest a joint neural factor influencing both fixational saccade rate and pupil size ahead of limb movements. We discuss possible interpretations of our findings, both specific ones that center on processes of motor planning or temporal expectation, and more general ones that are in terms effort.

Animals respond to sensory stimuli with motor actions, which in turn generate new sensory inputs. This sensorimotor loop is constrained by time delays that impose a trade-off between responsiveness and stability. Additionally, as the relationship between a motor command and the corresponding sensory feedback is context-dependent, the response must be adapted in real time. It is generally believed that this adaptation process relies on an internal model that is continuously updated through prediction error minimization. Here, we experimentally reveal an alternative strategy based on a simpler feedback mechanism that does not require any internal model. We developed a virtual reality system for the miniature transparent fish Danionella cerebrum that enables in vivo brain-wide imaging during fictive navigation. By systematically manipulating the feedback parameters, we dissected the motor control process that allows the animal to stabilize its position using optic flow. The sensorimotor loop can be fully described by a single delay differential equation, whose solutions quantitatively capture the observed behavior across all experimental conditions. Both behavioral and neural data indicate that the observed adaptive response arises from logarithmic nonlinearities at the sensory (Weber-Fechner law) and motor (Henneman's size principle) ends. These fundamental properties of the nervous system, conserved across species and sensory modalities, have traditionally been interpreted in terms of efficient coding. Our findings unveil a distinct functional role for such nonlinear transformations: ensuring stability in sensorimotor control despite inherent delays and sensory uncertainty.

Long-term clinical efficacy of dentin desensitizing agents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sudden and isolated sensory stimuli (SISS) likely signal environmental events demanding immediate behavioural responses. These stimuli - which are widely and persistently used in both basic and clinical neuroscience to explore sensory processing and perception - also trigger some of the largest and most widespread electrocortical responses in the awake mammalian brain. These responses are often interpreted as reflecting either modality-specific sensory processing mediated by high-fidelity 'lemniscal' thalamocortical pathways to primary sensory cortices, cortico-cortical connections, or motor activity. Here we contend that these interpretations are unjustified. We first describe evidence that the electrocortical responses elicited by the SISS used in systems and cognitive neuroscience are strongly contributed to by non-modality-specific processes mediated by diffuse 'extralemniscal' thalamocortical projections. In human EEG this contribution is reflected in the scalp vertex potential (VP). We then discuss the implications of this 'two-system' theory for basic and clinical neuroscience studies, including the neural correlates of consciousness, where widespread responses to sudden, isolated, or rare stimuli-often interpreted as signatures of awareness-may instead reflect extralemniscal activity. We conclude by suggesting a mechanism through which transient extralemniscal responses affect ongoing brain activity and promote swift reactions to sudden environmental changes.

Individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and high pain catastrophizing demonstrate functional and structural brain changes via functional magnetic resonance imaging that may serve as useful neural correlates. Yet, few studies take advantage of electroencephalography (EEG), a more cost effective and accessible tool. Utilizing EEG to further establish clinical characteristics of pain catastrophizing may assist in developing novel interventions that modulate brain activity and expand the depth at which CMP is treated. Search strings were entered into PubMed, ProQuest Central, and Scopus and included keywords such as pain catastrophizing and electroencephalography. Articles retrieved underwent blinded review by two independent reviewers. Seven studies identified significant relationships between EEG measures and pain catastrophizing while five studies found no relationship. Increased pain catastrophizing was found to be correlated with decreased P2 amplitudes, lower signal attenuation following sensory stimuli, increased lagged coherence connectivity, and lower frontal apply asymmetries. Low-quality evidence demonstrates that neurophysiological relationships may exist between pain catastrophizing and brain regions commonly associated with pain processing. These relationships highlight potential targets for novel interventions aiming to modulate those brain regions to promote recovery of CMP. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between pain catastrophizing and EEG measures.

Background This study explores how sensory experiences within hospital environments influence the emotional responses of pediatric oncology patients, particularly those undergoing palliative chemotherapy. Pediatric journeys through healthcare spaces are not solely defined by clinical interactions but are shaped by continuous sensory exposure. This research aims to examine how visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory inputs during hospital stays affect emotional regulation, stress, and readiness for treatment among children. Methods A qualitative, exploratory design was used, applying an interpretive approach to capture nuanced emotional experiences. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with pediatric patients and caregivers, direct environmental observation, and sensory journey mapping. Emotional responses were coded and interpreted using thematic analysis, supported by the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance (PAD) emotional framework to identify patterns of engagement and disengagement across different sensory touchpoints. Result Findings show that children exposed to coherent multisensory environments—those with soft lighting, comforting textures, and calming sounds—demonstrated reduced anxiety and enhanced emotional coping. In contrast, fragmented environments with clinical noises, sterile visuals, and abrupt transitions intensified emotional distress, confusion, and behavioral withdrawal. Key friction points were not associated with medical procedures alone but often emerged from sensory overload or absence of meaningful sensory stimuli during waiting or transitional phases. Conclusion Hospital environments in pediatric oncology settings significantly contribute to the emotional quality of care. Sensory design that integrates adaptable, trauma-informed, and child-centered features can reduce stress and foster emotional resilience. This study suggests the need for multisensory design frameworks that move beyond aesthetics to support children’s agency and well-being throughout their treatment journey.

Altered gamma activity is associated with epilepsy. Gamma entrainment using sensory stimuli (GENUS), a non-invasive, exogenous stimulation by rhythmic 40 Hz light flicker, strengthens gamma activity in the primary visual cortex (V1) and suppresses spike generation. Here, we assessed the effect of GENUS on epileptogenesis in male mice with status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine. We found that GENUS immediately increased gamma activity and reduced epileptiform spikes in epileptic mice. After six weeks of GENUS treatment in epileptic mice, significant reductions were observed in neuronal loss and gliosis, brain hyperexcitability was ameliorated, and epilepsy-related behavioral performance was improved. We determined that the increased 40 Hz oscillations and reduced seizure susceptibility induced by GENUS were dependent on the visual circuit associated with ON-OFF direction-selective retinal ganglion cells, glutamatergic neurons in the shell of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, and parvalbumin-expressing fast-spiking interneurons in the superficial 2/3 layer of V1.