The effect of interstimulus interval on somatosensory point localization

Somatosensory point localization is a clinical test evaluating spatial accuracy of the somatosensory system. Possible effects of the interstimulus interval (ISI) on point localization threshold have not been previously examined. In the present set of experiments the effect of time delay on somatosensory point localization was studied using ISIs of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 s, and applying a newly developed computer-controlled application method of a Semmes–Weinstein monofilament. It was found that the point localization threshold was not significantly affected by the ISI length. However, the response time was shorter and response accuracy better at the shorter (1 and 3 s) than at the longer (5, 7, and 9 s) ISIs, suggesting a change in the mechanism underlying point localization decision criteria in ISIs longer than 3 s.

[1]  S. Weinstein.  Fifty years of somatosensory research: from the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments to the Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test. , 1993, Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

[2]  C. Miles,et al.  Tactile short-term memory revisited. , 1996, Memory.

[3]  J C Stevens,et al.  Spatial acuity of the body surface over the life span. , 1996, Somatosensory & motor research.

[4]  J A Bell-Krotoski,et al.  Threshold detection and Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. , 1995, Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

[5]  C B Novak,et al.  Establishment of reliability in the evaluation of hand sensibility. , 1993, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[6]  S Weinstein,et al.  Intensive and extensive aspects of tactile sensitivity as a function of body part, sex, and laterality , 1968 .

[7]  C Braun,et al.  Distribution of mislocalizations of tactile stimuli on the fingers of the human hand. , 2000, Somatosensory & motor research.

[8]  Alan C. Evans,et al.  Attention modulates somatosensory cerebral blood flow response to vibrotactile stimulation as measured by positron emission tomography , 1991, Annals of neurology.

[9]  S Weinstein,et al.  Testing sensibility, including touch-pressure, two-point discrimination, point localization, and vibration. , 1993, Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

[10]  G. Glaser.  Somatosensory Changes After Penetrating Brain Wounds in Man , 1960, The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine.

[11]  U Noppeney,et al.  Spatial attention modulates the cortical somatosensory representation of the digits in humans. , 1999, Neuroreport.

[12]  O. L. Zangwill,et al.  Somatosensory Changes after Penetrating Brain Wounds in Man , 1960 .

[13]  M. Heller.  Tactile retention: Reading with the skin , 1980 .

[14]  M T Turvey,et al.  Short-term Retention of Tactile Stimulation , 1972, The Quarterly journal of experimental psychology.

[15]  E. Fess,et al.  The need for reliability and validity in hand assessment instruments. , 1986, The Journal of hand surgery.

[16]  L. Bouter,et al.  The assessment of diabetic polyneuropathy in daily clinical practice: Reproducibility and validity of Semmes Weinstein monofilaments examination and clinical neurological examination , 1997, Muscle & nerve.

[17]  R. Johansson,et al.  Detection of tactile stimuli. Thresholds of afferent units related to psychophysical thresholds in the human hand. , 1979, The Journal of physiology.

[18]  J. Bell-Krotoski,et al.  The repeatability of testing with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. , 1987, The Journal of hand surgery.

[19]  W L Buford,et al.  The force/time relationship of clinically used sensory testing instruments. , 1997, Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

[20]  A D Baddeley,et al.  Tactile Short-Term Memory , 1969, The Quarterly journal of experimental psychology.