PubHawk
April 2022 PMID 35263344

A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety.

Alice C Haynes, Annie Lywood, Emily M Crowe, Jessica L Fielding, Jonathan M Rossiter, Christopher Kent

Download social card

Mentions

99
Peak: 12 in Mar 2022
across 5 sources since Mar 2022

Extended reach

970,992
potential audience

Total likes

12,011

Video views

246,698

Mentions per month

Mar 2022 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News70 articles
  • X / Twitter18 posts
  • Blogs8 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions show a high level of interest and support, with phrases like 'great to be part of' and 'could ease anxiety' emphasizing positive perceptions. Some posts highlight the research team's involvement and speculate on future integration into daily life, reflecting a balanced mix of engagement and perceived impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express strong support and positive views about the tactile aid's effectiveness in reducing anxiety.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions indicate high curiosity and enthusiasm about the technology, with multiple mentions of its potential applications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants demonstrate moderate engagement by referencing the research team, publication details, and possible future uses.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest recognition of the intervention's meaningful potential impact on anxiety management, though some posts are more promotional or casual.

Abstract in brief

  • The study explores a new tactile aid designed to reduce anxiety by simulating slow breathing through a huggable, pneumatic cushion, offering a nonpharmacological, intuitive home intervention.
  • Developed and tested through focus groups and experiments, the breathing prototype was found to be the most calming, with participants describing it as soothing and reminiscent of a person breathing, indicating its potential effectiveness.
  • Results from an experiment with 129 participants showed that using the cushion during an anxiety-inducing situation significantly decreased pretest anxiety compared to no intervention, highlighting its promise as an accessible anxiety-relief tool.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Neuroscience News
@NeuroscienceNew · X

“A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety” by Haynes AC, Lywood A, Crowe EM, Fielding JL, Rossiter JM, Kent C. PLOS ONE https://t.co/HqIoKMLcL2

Mar 9, 2022 · 15 likes · 3 shares · 507,157 followers View post →
PLOS
@PLOS · X

Hugging a “breathing” cushion could ease #anxiety, according to Alice Haynes of @BristolUni and colleagues.

Mar 17, 2022 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 147,708 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

The Easter egg

Mar 9, 2022 · 3 likes · 42,438 followers View post →
SoftLab Bristol
@SoftLabBristol · X

Yet another exciting publication: A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety. Read full paper https://t.co/IRrsmFrY72 or @newscientist coverage https://t.co/TRHltckHrx or https://t.co/xC8FS2S3h4 @BristolUniEng @BristolEngMaths @BristolRobotLab

Mar 10, 2022 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,614 followers View post →
H. Ishizuka
@ishizukaclass · X

https://t.co/Ybrd0qmEof

Sep 13, 2022 · 1 like · 2,938 followers View post →
Corine
@FloatingIsland · X

This pillow can breathe #shorts #science #SciShow https://t.co/iuSvVpB5VH via @YouTube

Jun 14, 2022 · 1 like · 424 followers View post →

All mentions

Abraham The Pharmacist
@pharmacistabraham.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/BvHtkQykeN8

Oct 27, 2025 View post →
Abraham The Pharmacist
@AbrahamThePharm · X

https://t.co/OlfaixGARH

Oct 27, 2025 · 2,206 followers View post →
H. Ishizuka
@ishizukaclass · X

https://t.co/Ybrd0qmEof

Sep 13, 2022 · 1 like · 2,938 followers View post →
John Wallaby
@johnwallaby · X

How long till the "breathing pillow" tech finds its way into a daki? https://t.co/0weEUDuREj

Jun 15, 2022 · 884 followers View post →
Corine
@FloatingIsland · X

This pillow can breathe #shorts #science #SciShow https://t.co/iuSvVpB5VH via @YouTube

Jun 14, 2022 · 1 like · 424 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: This pillow can breathe #shorts #science #SciShow https://t.co/OUbngEMItT

Jun 13, 2022 · 83 followers View post →
PLOS ONE UK
@PLOS_0NE · X

#PLOSONE: A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety https://t.co/Lu8gRlxB5l

Apr 5, 2022 · 73 followers View post →
(((Dan Graur))) ダン דן גראור
@DanGraur · X

A "breathing" pillow reduces anxiety. https://t.co/3JvrK18ScK https://t.co/55VpJkCRki

Mar 26, 2022 · 3,358 followers View post →
Brigstow Institute
@HelloBrigstow · X

RT @Sooothe_me: It was great to be part of the Breathing Cushion R&D team with Bristol University's Alice Haynes with her work on the breat…

Mar 22, 2022 · 1 share · 1,443 followers View post →
PLOS
@PLOS · X

Hugging a “breathing” cushion could ease #anxiety, according to Alice Haynes of @BristolUni and colleagues.

Mar 17, 2022 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 147,708 followers View post →
Genç İVEK
@gencivek · X

4. Araştırmacılar, insan beyninin anıları nasıl ayırdığını, depoladığını ve geri aldığını ortaya çıkardı: https://t.co/0eTKylYmsW 5. Kaygıyı hafifletmek için 'nefes alan' bir yastığa sarılmak: https://t.co/w3bYbSrhIX

Mar 12, 2022 · 1 like · 356 followers View post →
Frank Spencer
@Frankwspencer · X

A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety https://t.co/AA6vu5D8qv

Mar 11, 2022 · 3,108 followers View post →
Sophie Skach
@SophieSkach · X

RT @SoftLabBristol: Yet another exciting publication: A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety. Read full pape…

Mar 10, 2022 · 2 shares · 538 followers View post →
Marta K. Tazewell
@MartaTazewell · X

RT @SoftLabBristol: Yet another exciting publication: A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety. Read full pape…

Mar 10, 2022 · 2 shares · 17 followers View post →
SoftLab Bristol
@SoftLabBristol · X

Yet another exciting publication: A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety. Read full paper https://t.co/IRrsmFrY72 or @newscientist coverage https://t.co/TRHltckHrx or https://t.co/xC8FS2S3h4 @BristolUniEng @BristolEngMaths @BristolRobotLab

Mar 10, 2022 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,614 followers View post →
BRIC-NBRC
@DBT_NBRC · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety” by Haynes AC, Lywood A, Crowe EM, Fielding JL,…

Mar 10, 2022 · 3 shares · 4,779 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

The Easter egg

Mar 9, 2022 · 3 likes · 42,438 followers View post →
sciencenews
@Scieducation1 · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety” by Haynes AC, Lywood A, Crowe EM, Fielding JL,…

Mar 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 5,135 followers View post →
Neuroscience News
@NeuroscienceNew · X

“A calming hug: Design and validation of a tactile aid to ease anxiety” by Haynes AC, Lywood A, Crowe EM, Fielding JL, Rossiter JM, Kent C. PLOS ONE https://t.co/HqIoKMLcL2

Mar 9, 2022 · 15 likes · 3 shares · 507,157 followers View post →