In the study, rats received 10 days of tickling training, during which period researchers measured their 50 kHz vocalizations. While the rats rarely emitted 50 kHz vocalizations initially, they consistently produced these vocalizations in response to tickling starting on day five. These vocalizations became more frequent through day 10, indicating that repeated tickling produced pleasant sensations in rats.

At the end of the training period, rats were administered a conditioned place preference test. The rats expressed affinity for repeated tickling by spending more time in the tickling room after the test as compared to before.