Daily Hugging Predicts Lower Levels of Two Proinflammatory Cytokines

The current study asked a sample (N = 20) of healthy young adults to report their daily hugging behaviors over a 14-day period and to collect their saliva at the beginning and end of the study. Based on affection exchange theory, we hypothesized that the frequency of hugging would be inversely related to proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (IL) 1-beta, 6, and 8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Controlling for baseline levels, hugging was significantly and inversely related to IL1-beta and TNF-alpha after the 14-day period. Associations with IL-6 and IL-8, although nonsignificant, were also in the hypothesized direction.

Automated summary

The current study found that the frequency of hugging is inversely related to proinflammatory cytokines levels, including IL1-beta and TNF-alpha. Although the associations with IL-6 and IL-8 were not significant, they were also in the hypothesized direction.