Emotion regulation by Affective Touch in individuals with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Emotion regulation and glycaemic responses are closely interconnected, with difficulties in one domain often exacerbating the other. This relationship is particularly evident in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), where glucose dysregulation is associated with heightened stress.Here, we investigated whether Affective Touch, a form of gentle tactile stimulation known to reduce stress and physiological arousal, modulates emotional and physiological responses in adolescents with and without T1DM. Affective Touch (slow touch) and non-Affective Touch (faster touch) were administered in two sessions while participants watched negative videos. Heart rate was continuously monitored, and glucose levels were tracked at four time points in the T1DM group only. Participants rated video valence and arousal and touch pleasantness.Across both groups, Affective Touch was perceived as more pleasant than non-Affective Touch and was associated with reduced heart rate, indicating a comparable calming effect in adolescents with and without T1DM. Blood glucose levels in the T1DM group showed a time-dependent decrease.Overall, the preserved hedonic and autonomic effects of Affective Touch across groups suggest that this form of touch may represent a feasible, non-invasive supportive strategy in contexts where stress regulation is relevant, including this clinical population.