Relocating Thermal Stimuli to the Proximal Phalanx May not Affect Vibrotactile Sensitivity on the fIngertip

Huibert A.J. Van Riessen, Yasemin Vardar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Wearable devices that relocate tactile feedback from fingertips can enable users to interact with their physical world augmented by virtual effects. While studies have shown that relocating same-modality tactile stimuli can influence the one perceived at the fingertip, the interaction of cross-modal tactile stimuli remains unclear. Here, we investigate how thermal cues applied on the index finger's proximal phalanx affect vibrotactile sensitivity at the fingertip of the same finger when employed at varying contact pressures. We designed a novel wearable device that can deliver thermal stimuli at adjustable contact pressures on the proximal phalanx. Utilizing this device, we measured the detection thresholds of fifteen participants for 250 Hz sinusoidal vibration applied on the fingertip while concurrently applying constant cold (18 C°), neutral (32 C°), and warm (40 C°) stimuli at high (2 N) and low (0.5 N) contact pressures to the proximal phalanx. Our results revealed no significant differences in detection thresholds across conditions. These preliminary findings suggest that applying constant thermal stimuli to other skin locations does not affect fingertip vibrotactile sensitivity, possibly due to perceptual adaptation. However, the influence of dynamic multisensory tactile stimuli remains an open question for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2024
PublisherIEEE
Pages23-28
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)979-8-3503-8652-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event10th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2024 - Heidelberg, Germany
Duration: 1 Sept 20244 Sept 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of the IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics
ISSN (Print)2155-1774

Conference

Conference10th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2024
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityHeidelberg
Period1/09/244/09/24

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care
Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

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