The tactile detection threshold changes when a visual stimulus is presented with a short temporal gap

AbstractOngoing neural activity in human somatosensory cortex has a strong impact on the detectability of weak tactile stimuli. Recent studies suggest that brain oscillations, which determine the state of excitability of a cortical area, play a crucial role in this process. Mainly two frequency bands have been reported to be involved in conscious sensory perception: alpha (8 – 12 Hz) and beta (15 – 30 Hz). In addition to correlative findings, more recent studies investigated causality by measuring the extent to which directly modulating brain oscillations affects sensory perception. While most of these studies use transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), rhythmic sensory stimulation has been suggested as a simple and safe alternative to entrain ongoing neural activity. However, convincing findings demonstrating the modulation of neural signals and related behavioral function are scarce.Here, we investigated whether rhythmically induced brain oscillations by means of vibrotactile stimulation (i.e. sensory entrainment) modulate tactile detection. In line with previous findings, we show in trials without sensory entrainment that preceding alpha power and phase-angles in beta oscillations predict the detection rate of a weak tactile stimulus. Further, we reveal a masking effect induced by sensory entrainment stimulation resulting in higher perception thresholds. Intriguingly, we find that the masking effect is modulated by the strength of neural entrainment resulting from 20 Hz stimulation. Our data provide evidence for the possibility to modulate sensory processing with rhythmic sensory stimulation. However, in light of the induced masking effects, the feasibility of this entrainment method to modulate human behavior remains questionable.

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Tactile Detection Threshold

Encyclopedia of Neuroscience ◽

10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_5866 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 3998-3998

Keyword(s):

Detection Threshold ◽

Tactile Detection

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A comparison of pulpal and tactile detection threshold levels in young adults

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics ◽

10.1016/0889-5406(89)90349-1 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 302-311 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Calvin D. Torneck ◽

Thomas P. Howley

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Detection Threshold ◽

Threshold Levels ◽

Tactile Detection

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Tactile Detection Threshold Determined with Single Sinusoidal Mechanical Pulses in the Monkey Skin

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1986.63.3.1180 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 1180-1182

Author(s):

Antti Pertovaara ◽

Ilkka Linnankoski

Keyword(s):

Detection Threshold ◽

Detection Thresholds ◽

Stimulus Pulse ◽

Electrophysiological Studies ◽

Tactile Detection Thresholds ◽

Tactile Detection

Tactile detection thresholds for single sinusoidal mechanical pulses increased with decreases in the frequency of the stimulus pulse (from 150 to 20 Hz) in a monkey's skin. The results correspond with those of similar electrophysiological studies.

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Tactile Detection in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Pain Research ◽

10.3389/fpain.2021.740897 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Tania Augière ◽

Audrey Desjardins ◽

Emmanuelle Paquette Raynard ◽

Clémentine Brun ◽

Anne Marie Pinard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Tactile Stimulation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Detection Threshold ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Body Representation ◽

Future Research ◽

Tactile Stimuli ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Tactile Detection

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by sensorimotor deficits and distortions of body representation, that could both be caused by alterations in sensory processing. Several studies suggest a hypersensitivity to various sensory stimulations in fibromyalgia but results on detection of both noxious and non-noxious tactile stimulation, which are particularly relevant for body representation and motor control, remain conflicting. Therefore, the aim of this study is to systematically review and quantify the detection thresholds to noxious and non-noxious tactile stimuli in individuals with fibromyalgia compared to pain-free controls. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycInfo and Web of Science databases using keywords related to fibromyalgia, tactile pain detection threshold, tactile detection threshold and quantitative sensory testing. Nineteen studies were included in the review, with 12 in the meta-analysis. Despite the heterogeneity of the results, the data from both the review and from the meta-analysis suggest a trend toward hyperalgesia and no difference of sensitivity to non-noxious tactile stimuli in participants with fibromyalgia compared to healthy controls. This contradicts the hypothesis of a general increase in responsiveness of the central nervous system to noxious and non-noxious stimulations in fibromyalgia. This study shows no alteration of the sensitivity to non-noxious tactile stimulation in fibromyalgia, suggesting that an altered unimodal processing is not sufficient to explain symptoms such as sensorimotor impairments and body representation distortions. Future research should investigate whether alterations in multisensory integration could contribute to these symptoms.

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