Human–Dog Interaction Method and Dog Familiarity Differentially Modulate Prefrontal Connectivity and Autonomic Recovery Following Acute Stress: An fNIRS Study

Kish, Brianna; Nishiura, Reina; Ogata, Niwako; Tong, Yunjie · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.64898/2026.03.25.714338

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Summary

This study investigates how human–dog interactions modulate physiological and neural recovery from acute stress, specifically examining the effects of interaction mode (direct vs. indirect) and dog familiarity (own vs. unfamiliar). While the long-term health benefits of animal companionship are established, the short-term mechanisms of stress relief, particularly regarding neural dynamics and the efficacy of digital interactions, remain unclear. The researchers aimed to determine if fNIRS-derived metrics could serve as sensitive markers for stress modulation and whether direct physical contact offers superior recovery benefits compared to video-based interaction. Seventy adult dog owners participated in a standardized protocol involving baseline measurement, acute stress induction via the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST), and a 20-minute recovery phase. Prefrontal cortex activity was monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), while autonomic responses were tracked via heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and spectral power analysis. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A compared direct in-person interaction with indirect video conferencing with their own dog; Group B compared indirect interaction with their own dog versus an unfamiliar dog. Subjective stress was measured using visual analogue scales, and salivary cortisol was sampled at baseline, post-stress, and post-recovery. Results indicated that the MAST successfully elevated HR, HRV indices, and prefrontal functional connectivity (FC), confirming robust stress engagement. During recovery, all dog interaction conditions reduced HR, LF/HF ratio, and FC toward or below baseline levels. Direct interaction was associated with pronounced parasympathetic enhancement, evidenced by significant increases in high-frequency power and a drop in FC that fell significantly below baseline, suggesting a shift to a low-cognitive-demand state. In contrast, indirect interactions and unfamiliar dog conditions did not produce FC levels significantly lower than baseline. Linear modeling revealed that HRV, LF/HF, and FC were consistent predictors of subjective stress ratings, whereas associations with cortisol were limited. The findings suggest that human–dog interaction promotes coordinated autonomic and prefrontal recovery from acute stress. Direct physical contact appears to facilitate a deeper physiological relaxation state than indirect digital interaction, characterized by enhanced parasympathetic activity and reduced prefrontal connectivity. The study highlights fNIRS-derived functional connectivity as a potential biomarker for distinguishing between high-cognitive-load stress states and low-demand recovery states, offering a more nuanced assessment of stress modulation than traditional physiological indices alone. These results support the integration of direct animal-assisted interventions in stress management protocols.

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• neuro workload indices

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• Empirical Findings: physiological data