Pain is one of the most common health problems and has a severe impact on quality of life. Yet, a suitable and efficient treatment is still not available for all patient populations suffering from pain. Interestingly, recent research shows that low threshold mechanosensory C-tactile (CT) fibres have a modulatory influence on pain. CT-fibres are activated by slow gentle stroking of the hairy skin, providing a pleasant sensation. Consequently, slow gentle stroking is known as affective touch. Currently, a clear overview of the way affective touch modulates pain, at a neural level, is missing. This review aims to present such an overview. To explain the interaction between affective touch and pain, first the neural basis of the affective touch system and the neural processing of pain will be described. To clarify these systems, a schematic illustration will be provided in every section. Hereafter, a novel model of interactions between affective touch and pain systems will be introduced. Finally, since affective touch might be suitable as a new treatment for chronic pain, possible clinical implications will be discussed.

中文翻译：

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情感触觉和疼痛的神经基础：一种新模型提出了缓解疼痛的可能目标

疼痛是最常见的健康问题之一，严重影响生活质量。然而，对于所有患有疼痛的患者群体，仍然没有合适且有效的治疗方法。有趣的是，最近的研究表明，低阈值机械感觉 C 触觉 (CT) 纤维对疼痛具有调节作用。CT 纤维通过缓慢轻柔地抚摸毛茸茸的皮肤而激活，提供愉悦的感觉。因此，缓慢轻柔的抚摸被称为情感触摸。目前，缺乏关于情感触摸在神经层面调节疼痛方式的清晰概述。本综述旨在呈现这样的概述。为了解释情感触觉和疼痛之间的相互作用，首先将描述情感触觉系统的神经基础和疼痛的神经处理。为了澄清这些系统，每个部分都将提供示意图。此后，将介绍情感触觉和疼痛系统之间相互作用的新模型。最后，由于情感触摸可能适合作为慢性疼痛的新疗法，因此将讨论可能的临床意义。