
Israeli researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have found that a one-time, short session with a seal-like furry robot reduced pain, increased happiness and reduced oxytocin levels.
Human-to-human contact has been found to bolster mood and reduce pain in several previous studies. However, when human-to-human contact is not an option, as is the case with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a furry social robot can induce similar effects, Dr. Shelly Levy-Tzedek of the Department of Physical Therapy and her team learned.
PARO is a Japanese-produced therapeutic social robot that looks like a furry white seal. It makes seal-like noises and moves its head and flippers in response to being touched and spoken to.
Levy-Tzedek and her team discovered that a one-time interaction with PARO, which lasted less than an hour, improved mood and reduced mild and severe pain.
When participants touched PARO, they experienced greater pain reduction than when it was simply present in the room with them.
They also discovered lower levels of oxytocin in those who interacted with PARO than in the control group participants, who did not meet PARO at all.
Oxytocin is a hormone released when people snuggle up or bond socially, known also as the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone.”
High oxytocin levels have been found in mothers playing with their children and between romantic partners, so a lower level of oxytocin is surprising. However, more recent studies have shown that outside of close relationships, oxytocin production is an indicator of stress and therefore a reduction could indicate relaxation.
“These findings offer new strategies for pain management and for improving well-being, which are particularly needed at this time, when social distancing is a crucial factor in public health,” says Dr. Levy-Tzedek.
Israel Expects Aliyah Numbers to Double in 2020

Bar Mitzvah Amid Corona

The ‘Green Passport’ Could Poison Israeli Society

Coronavirus and the Arab Culture of Secrecy

Corona Shmorona

Israel Begins Vaccinating Palestinian Workers

Israel Celebrates Vaccine Victory Over Corona

Déjà vu

Tel Aviv Immunologist Criticizes Israel’s COVID Response

Israel’s Multi-Front Battle: Fighting Coronavirus and Spies at Home

Orthodox Disobedience and Its Effect on Israel

Liars! Arab Activist Defends Israel Against False Vaccine Claims

Of Vaccines, Lockdowns and the Eurovision Song Contest

Fear of the Unknown

Why is Israel Now Struggling Again with the Spread of Covid?

Israeli Expert: Coronavirus Isn’t Dangerous to Children!

Israel’s “Corona Guardians” Take to the Streets

What the Bible Says to Us in Times of Corona

Divine Protection, Corona and the Bible

Vaccinated Israelis are In-Demand as Tourists

Israel Vaccinates Two-Millionth Citizen Against COVID

When Sirens Are a False Alarm

Israel Begins Administering COVID Booster Shots to Seniors, But Will It Work?

Bennett: Patience for the Unvaccinated Israelis Has Run Out

Corona, Olympics and Ben & Jerry’s

Corona Cure: Israelis Told to Drink Russian Miracle Water

Not So Fast! Top Immunologist Says Israel Shouldn’t Rush Fourth Corona Shot

“Prophets of Doom” Push New Corona Restrictions for Israel

What Do You Do When Your Brother is in Distress?

If There are COVID Treatments and Cures, Why Worry About “Vaccines”?

Government Tells Israelis to Stop Flying Abroad

Health Officials: End Flight Bans, Let Israelis Catch COVID

Israeli Military Makes Corona Cure Breakthrough

Israel Cancels COVID “State of Emergency”

How Israel Beats Corona

Report: Bennett Wants Israeli Parents to Shame One Another Into Vaccinating Kids

WHO “Disgusted” by COVID Vaccine Policies of Israel, Other Wealthy Nations

Why is Israel Still Giving COVID Boosters if the WHO Said to Stop?

Chinese Ambassador Found Dead

Israel Air Force Salutes Healthcare Workers

Israel Has “No Control” of Corona Pandemic? Or Has It “Lost Control”?

The Significance of Yom Kippur During a Pandemic

Corona Visas for Evangelical Volunteers Leave Catholics Frustrated

Too Many COVID Infections? Stop Getting Tested, Suggests IDF Commander

Israelis Divided on Vaccinating Children

VIDEO: Saluting Israel’s Medical Teams as They Fight Coronavirus

A Never-Ending Shabbat

Empty Shops, Broken Hearts

Israel’s Booster Shot Policy Threatens Return to School

Small Business Owners Turn on Netanyahu Government

Can the Arab World Deal With Corona?

Thinking of Visiting Israel This Summer? Here’s What You Need to Know

Alternate Reality? UN Hails Israeli-Palestinian Cooperation

Tragedy

Bring Back the Mask Mandate, Insists Israeli Expert

Swords Into Plowshares: Israel Missile Factory Producing Ventilators

Washington Threatens to Bar Israeli Planes From Landing in America

Be Thou My Vision in This Present Darkness

ANALYSIS: Will Coronavirus Solve Israel’s Political Crisis?

Almost 20% of Israel’s COVID Deaths are Holocaust Survivors

Israel Begins Administering 4th Corona Vaccine Shot

Farmers Donate Tons of Vegetables for Passover

Corona Doubts Creep Back Into Israel

Social Distancing – It’s a Jewish Thing

Manna, Vaccines and Everything In-Between

COVID Vaccines at School? Uproar in Israel Over Controversial Inoculation Scheme

Tour Groups Can Now Enter Israel WITHOUT Corona Booster Shot

Palestinians Set Sights on Jerusalem Amid Corona Crisis

Israel Looks to Take the Lead in COVID Vaccination

Israelis Skeptical, Might Refuse COVID Vaccine

ANALYSIS: Is This the End of the World (as We Know It)?

Israeli Historian Explains Pandemics

Report: Israeli Public Servants Can Be Fired for Refusing Vaccine

Facebook Blocks Netanyahu Chatbot

Diminution and Abundance

Should Synagogues Open for Prayer Against Corona?

Israeli Startup Protects Essential UK Workers From Corona

Fully Vaccinated Woman is Israel’s First Omicron Death

Happy, Green and Purple

The Broadcast That Ruffled Israel’s Orthodox Jews

Israelis Defy Corona Lockdown Regulations

Fear for America

Israel Won’t Reach Herd Immunity, COVID Isn’t Going Away

Arab Israeli Bus Driver Recovers From Coronavirus

In Israel Everything’s Either Scandal or Festival

Looking Back on a Strange Year

Israel Already Has the Way to Beat Corona

Israel Closes Its Skies as More COVID Mutations Enter Jewish State

Anti-Vaxxer Teacher Forcibly Removed From Israeli Kindergarten

Relaxed Green Passport Rules Scrapped After Israelis Cheat the System

Response to Messianic Claims That the Corona Vaccine is a Plot of Satan

Israeli Hospital Won’t Wait on FDA, Will Start COVID-19 Vaccinations

How Israel Enforces Coronavirus Restrictions

Why is Israel so Worried About Omicron?

Vacation Days, Family Celebrations and New Corona Regulations

Why is Israel the Safest Place on Earth?

Return of the Masks

Israel Welcomes a New Corona Variant – Delta Plus

The Orthodox Scapegoat

Seeing God’s Gifts in Times of Difficulty

My Nightmare Flight to Israel During Corona

Israel Lifts Covid Mask Mandate

How the Corona Virus and Multiple Lockdowns changed the DNA of the local Messianic Congregation

A Delayed Government, Messianic Jewish TV, and Beating COVID-19

The Coronavirus From a Messianic Perspective

As Israel Eases Lockdown, Fears of Another Infection Spike

How Dare He Speak Against the Rabbi!

The Command to Rest

“Back to Life” Thanks to God and Pfizer

Free Breathing and Creeping Optimism

Meet Israel’s Frontline Heroes

Israel Helps Christian ‘Holy Fire’ Spread Around the World

Corona Policies Doing More Damage Than Virus, Warn Experts

Corona: Israel Mulls Slow Return to Normalcy

Corona-Style Passover Prayer Goes Viral

Israel’s Top Rabbi Threatens Those Who Violate Corona Guidelines

This Time I Made the Wrong Choice

Passover, Plagues and the God of the Hebrews

UPDATE: Is Pfizer Vaccine to Blame for Israel’s High COVID Infection Rate?

Israel Struggles to Bring Home Kids Stranded by Coronavirus

Finding Light in Dark Times Through Art

Watch: Jewish Settlers Sing Psalm 54, Seek God’s Salvation

Israel Freaking Out After Tourists Test Positive for Coronavirus

ANALYSIS: Israel Beats the Odds, is Safest Corona Country

Gaza Factory Making Corona Masks for Israel

Israelis Protest Against “Medical Dictatorship”

Israel Health Ministry Hints at “State of Emergency”

Is the Corona Crisis a Convenient Excuse for Bibi?

Vaccinating Israeli Children to Help Beat the Corona-virus?

COVID-19 and the Possible Breakdown of National Life

Netanyahu Enters Quarantine After Aide Catches Coronavirus

Israeli Army: Corona Crisis to Last Another 18 Months

“Stop Quarantining Children,” Insist Israeli Doctors

Hamas Wields Coronavirus to Extort More Money

Vaccine Might Not Set Us Free: Growing Frustration in Israel

Our Behavior is Our Witness

On Corona, “Israel Leads and the World Follows”

Omicron, Antigen, PCR – The New Normal

Mike Lindell Criticizes Israel Over COVID Vaccination Drive

Of Rain, Lockdowns and Redemption

Israelis Protest Against COVID Vaccine, So-Called “Green Passport”

Most Israel Corona Infections Came From America

First Pfizer Vaccines Arrive in Israel

Israel Versus the FDA: The Battle of the Booster Shot

ANALYSIS: Corona, Israel and the World – Apocalypse Now?

A Two-Class Society?

Are the Prophecies About Coronavirus True?

Leading Israeli Rabbi Boots Student for Opposing COVID Vaccine

Israel Introduces COVID “Happy Badge”

Israeli Doctor: Pfizer Vaccine Didn’t Stop 4th Corona Wave

Palestinians: COVID is Allah’s Punishment for Ignoring Us

Fauci to Israel: You Did the Right Thing, US Also Needs Booster Shot

Israeli Professor Answers Your Questions About COVID Vaccine

Israel Trading Medical Data for COVID Vaccine Doses

Forced Vaccination in Israel – Is It Right?

UPDATE: On the Way to a Cure for Coronavirus?

Enough!

Living in Parallel Worlds

Rabbi Likens Israeli Media to Nazi Newspaper

United Response to Corona Virus Attack on Jewish Communities

Mark Your Calendar! COVID Vaccine No Longer Required to Enter Israel!

Lesser Known Victims of COVID: Why Israel Must Preserve Heritage

Passover: Time to Move On

Dramatic Jump in COVID Infection Rate in Israel: Nearly 4,000 in One Day

Israel’s Agriculture is Vital in Times of Crisis

Israel Debates Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines

Report: Rabbi Ordered Israeli Health Minister to Step Down

WHO Official: Israel a ‘Trailblazer’ by Giving Early COVID Booster Shots

Prophecy — Who Needs It?

Israeli Officials Demand Recount of COVID-19 Deaths

The Day After Corona

The Masks Come Off

Israel’s “Haredi Ninja” Dies of COVID-19

Israel Gets Its Wrist Slapped Over Dubious COVID Stats

Corona’s Divisive Side Effects on Israeli Society

Muslim Extremists Exploiting Corona Crisis in Israel

Child Vaccinations Top Israeli Headlines, Cause Reported Gov’t Rift

VIDEO: Israeli Army Takes on a New Mission

Reaping the Fruit of the Coronavirus

Remembering Israel’s Corona Victims, Blaming Netanyahu

ANALYSIS: Israel vs the Arabs. Who’s Handling Corona Better?

Third Temple is Only Cure for Coronavirus, Says Israeli Rabbi

Should Jews Pray for Trump’s Recovery From COVID-19?

Jews are Being Blamed for the Coronavirus

ANALYSIS: Israel, Iran and the Corona Pandemic

Israel’s Coronavirus Czar Is Rearing His Head in Time for Hanukkah

Israel Foreign Ministry Reaches Out to Arab Nations

Did Corona Restrictions, Vaccines Weaken Our Immune Systems? Israel Investigates

COVID Vaccine is an “Angel From God”

Coronavirus Pandemic Requires Our Creativity

Israel Declares War on Coronavirus

Israel ‘Not Worried’ About New Corona Outbreak as Purim, Passover Festivals Loom

Challenges of Collective Action in Fighting COVID-19

Report: Israel Came Very Close to Feared Vaccine “Dictatorship”

Corona: Muslims Also Say Messiah is Coming

“Unacceptable that 1 million Israelis are unvaccinated!”

Coronavirus in the Eyes of Muslim Clerics

Israeli Economy Reopened Ahead of Fateful Election

Has Israel Reached Corona Herd Immunity?

Israeli Lawmaker Blames Fourth Corona Wave on Homosexuals and Muslims

“You see the shame in their eyes” – Israel’s heartbreaking economic epidemic

Fighting Corona – Doing More Harm Done Than Good?

Lockdown, Israel-Style

Mossad Secretly Acquires 100,000 Coronavirus Test Kits for Israel

Will the New Year Be Virus-Free?

Israel and the Palestinians in the Fight Against Coronavirus

Want to Beat Corona? Then Go Outside, Say Israeli Scientists

Should We Fear the Second Wave of Corona?

1 Million Israelis Infected, 10,000 Dead by End of April, Warns Bibi

Absurd: Netanyahu Exposed to Corona by His Health Minister

Are There Jewish Prophecies About Coronavirus?

Now Let’s Be Honest: An Open Letter From Our Editor

Corona Fear: Netanyahu Refuses to Shake Hands at Jewish Holy Site

Israel Holds COVID-19 ‘War Game’ to Prepare for Next Outbreak

Israeli Lawmaker Slams ‘Deceitful’ COVID-19 Statistics

Israel Shuts Down Last COVID Ward

Israeli Business Owners Seethe as Police Allow Mass Orthodox Funerals

Passover Beats Plague

Working From Home is Relaxing, Sometimes

Israel in the Queue

We Have Lost Proportionality

At-risk Israelis advised to wear COVID masks during High Holidays

Coronavirus: Israel Develops Quick Test

Israel Bars Foreign Tourists Amid Omicron Fears

What Will the Middle East Look Like After Corona?

Bible-Believing Health Minister Makes Israelis Fume

Netanyahu: Today All of Israel Deeply Mourns

The History Behind Israel’s Vaccination Success Story

The Second Lockdown

Poll: Israelis Pleased With Netanyahu’s Handling of Corona Crisis

Palestinians Accuse Israel of “Health Apartheid”

Of Vaccines, the Temple Mount and Palestinian Intransigence

Israel Begins Human Trials for Corona Vaccine

Bats Not Behind COVID-19, Insist Israeli Biologists

Freedom!

BBC Admits That Israel Not Obliged to Vaccinate Palestinians

Out and About in Tel Aviv: A City Under Lockdown?

COVID: Divine Decree or Man-Made Disease?

Israeli Tech Defending Buses in UK Against COVID-19

Israel’s Vaccination Campaign and Loving the Stranger

Vaccinated Israelis Catch Indian Variant of COVID-19

“Coronavirus will reach Israel”

Israel’s Corona Record and God

The Middle East After the Coronavirus Pandemic

Prime Minister Netanyahu First Israeli to Receive Covid-19 Vaccination

Herd Immunity is Talk of the Day in Israel

Once a Role Model, Israel is Now a COVID Cautionary Tale

Israel Sends its Love to Italy

Trump Was Right, Corona Panic Overblown, Says Israeli Expert

Fighting Corona Exposes Israel’s Attitude Toward Judaism

EXCLUSIVE: How Coronavirus Might Impact the Jewish State

Here’s What You Need To Do After Corona

A Bible Message for Times of Crisis

The Politics of Our Pandemic Problems

Coronavirus Driving More US Jews Home to Israel

Israeli Study Insists Risk of Myocarditis From COVID Vaccine is Minimal

Corona Conspiracy, or Media Hype?

“My Wife is Going to Kill Me,” Bennett Tells Cabinet

Messiah Will Come by Passover, Says Israel Health Minister

Underground Engagement

Israeli Breakthrough in Coronavirus Vaccine Imminent

End to COVID Vaccines and Boosters? New Israeli Research Suggests So

The Only Way to Beat ‘Big Brother’ in Israel

“The homos are to blame for everything”

O Jerusalem, Will You Rise Again?

Israel Urges Pfizer to Approve COVID Vaccines for Young Children

Empty Buses and No Traffic Jams

Four Sisters Fight Corona

Pfizer CEO Wins 2022 “Jewish Nobel” Prize

The New Normal of Israel Being a Light to the Nations

Welcome to Israel – Come Back Later

As Nations Yo-Yo Over Omicron, Israel Charges Ahead With 4th Jab

My Experience With the Corona Vaccine

Coronavirus is Rocking the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish World

Hospital Director Says He Won’t Take “Immoral” COVID Booster Shot

New 5 Shekel Coin Honors Corona Heroes

Israelis Belatedly Appreciate Netanyahu’s Handling of Coronavirus

Corona Hysteria is Overblown, Insist Top Israeli Experts

What New Horizons Will Israel’s Third Lockdown Open?

Israeli Doctors Want to Add COVID-19 Vaccine to Regular Children’s Vaccine Regimen

Springtime! But Where is the Spring?

Israel Starts Vaccinating Children; Bennett’s Son Goes First

School Starts Wednesday Fraught with Anxieties

In Photos: COVID Can’t Dampen Purim Spirit

Israeli Tech Protects Mexican Gyms From COVID

Israel Declares End to Corona Crisis

Balcony Prayers

Lockdown? What Was That Again?

What Coronavirus Looks Like in the Gaza Strip

Bennett Slammed for “Shaming” Israelis Who Refuse COVID Vaccine

The Epidemic and the Stumbling Block

Bennett Claims 2 Children Died in UK From Omicron Variant

Asia’s Impact on Israel’s Coronavirus Battle

That’s It? Coronavirus is Done in Israel?

ANALYSIS: How Local Leaders in Israel Beat the Corona Pandemic

Will 2022 Be a Normal Year?

Israeli Song of Healing Goes Viral

Israeli Corona Greeting Goes Viral in Arab World

As COVID ‘Super Variant’ Enters Israel, Officials Warn of ‘Emergency Situation’

Creativity in the Midst of Corona

Israel’s Top Rabbi Says We Need Messiah to Come

Survey: Over 200,000 Israelis Infected With COVID-19

Omicron, What Now?

Coronavirus Vs. the Virus of Islamic Jihad

Zionism: More Powerful Than Coronavirus

Tel Aviv “Vaccine Bar” Offers a Shot for a Shot

The Spiritual Dimension of the Corona Pandemic

The End of the World – Might Not Be What You’re Thinking

Is Israel Doing a Good Job Fighting Corona?


Israel Today Membership
Monthly Membership
Yearly Membership
Save 18% Per Month.
Six Months Membership
Save 9% Per Month.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Only members can read and write comments.