Research investigates how different dog types of activities impact our physiological responses.

Settled on the sofa in the loving embrace of my dog, a sense of calm sweeps over me, washing away the stress of the day. To understand experiences like this, recent research has investigated how performing various activities with dogs influences human brain activity and emotional well-being, revealing a range of health benefits.

New research into brain activity

The study, conducted in South Korea, investigated the psychophysiological and emotional responses of 30 adult participants performing 8 activities with a dog: meeting, playing, feeding, massaging, grooming, photographing, hugging, and walking. Each activity lasted 3 minutes, and during this time participants’ brain activity was measured using electroencephalogram (EEG) technology.

The findings revealed that activities such as playing and walking significantly increased alpha brain wave activity which is associated with relaxation. Previous research suggests that an increase in alpha brain waves is linked to reduced depression and anxiety. On the other hand, activities like massaging and grooming, which required more focused interaction, resulted in an increase of beta brain wave activity which is indicative of heightened concentration and attention.

Alpha waves are medium-frequency brain waves associated with restful and meditative states. They indicate that the brain is active, but relaxed.

Beta waves are high-frequency, low-amplitude brain waves associated with awakened and stimulated states. They indicate conscious thought and logical thinking.

Changes in mood and stress

During the study, researchers also captured the emotional impact of each activity using mood and stress evaluations immediately after each activity to capture shifts in their emotional states. The results revealed that interacting with a dog resulted in a significant decrease in participant stress-levels and overall enhancement of mood, complementing the physiological findings.

In particular, feeding, massaging and hugging the dog were linked to a lower total mood score, showing that they had a positive impact on participants’ mood. Whereas, participants reported feeling comfortable and natural whilst dog walking, and a feeling of relaxation when massaging the dog, showing that spending time with a dog can lower stress.

Broader implications

Overall, the results support the growing body of evidence that pets can positively impact our physical and mental health, revealing dogs as not mere companions, but key components of our wellbeing. The nuanced understanding of how different activities impact our emotional and cognitive states paves the way for personalised animal-assisted intervention programs, targeting the unique needs of individuals seeking therapeutic support.

Key study findings:

• Activities like playing and walking with a dog increased alpha brain wave activity
• Activities like massaging and grooming a dog increased beta brain wave activity
• Activities like dog walking were linked to reduced stress
• Activities like feeding, massaging and hugging a dog were linked to improved mood