A system for inducing concurrent tactile and nociceptive sensations at the same site using electrocutaneous stimulation.

ABSTRACT: Studies of the interaction between mechanoception and nociception would benefit from a method for stimulation of both modalities at the same location. For this purpose, we developed an electrical stimulation device. Using two different electrode geometries, discs and needles, the device is capable of inducing two distinct stimulus qualities, dull and sharp, at the same site on hairy skin. The perceived strength of the stimuli can be varied by applying stimulus pulse trains of different lengths. We assessed the perceived stimulus qualities and intensities of the two electrode geometries at two levels of physical stimulus intensity. In a first series of experiments, ten subjects participated in two experimental sessions. The subjects reported the perceived quality and intensity of four diffe

SUBMITTER: Steenbergen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3509324 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature