Vibrotactile adaptation enhances spatial localization.

摘要: Abstract A two-interval forced choice tracking procedure was used to evaluate the effects of a pre-exposure vibrotactile stimulation (“adaptation”) on capacity human subjects spatially localize subsequent tactile stimulus. 25 Hz flutter adapting stimulus presented at randomly selected position within 20 mm linear array oriented transversely hand dorsum. Two stimuli delivered subsequently were applied different sites along array; one same locus that received (the “standard” stimulus), other distant site “test” stimulus). Following each trial, queried as which two skin stimulation. correct response resulted in reduced distance between contacted by standard and test following trial. Four participated 10 sessions each. session consisted sets 20 trials (one set 0.5 s another 5 s duration). For every subject, adaptation an approximately 2-fold improvement spatial discrimination performance over achieved adaptation. It is proposed improved localization due enhanced funneling global neuronal population primary somatosensory cortex (SI) has been demonstrated accompany increases duration skin.