Perception of Surface Pressure Applied to the Hand

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the physical magnitude and the subjective perception of applied pressure, and to determine discomfort and pain thresholds. Free modulus magnitude estimation of the subjective pressure level was made on three points: on the finger, the palm and the thenar area. The pressure was rated higher at the thenar point than at the finger and palm points. The slope of the linear functions (log ratings as a function of log pressure) was 0.66, 0.78 and 0.76 for the finger, palm and thenar points respectively. The discomfort threshold was 38 % of the pain pressure threshold at the finger point, 40 % at the palm and 22 % at the thenar point. The results are probably of importance in the performance of handintensive work, in particular in the design of hand tools.