A new study shows that instant messages are no match for the comfort of Mom’s voice.

A study (from the University of Wisconsin) found that when girls stressed by a test talked with their moms, stress hormones dropped and comfort hormones rose.

When they used IM, nothing happened.

By the study’s neurophysiological measures, IM was barely different than not communicating at all.

Earlier studies have shown that both phone conversations and face-to-face conversations help lower stress levels and increase pleasure hormones.

The study shows that Mom’s actual voice—its tones, rhythms, and patterns are what soothe-- not the content of her message.