title: Vibrotactile masking through the body.
abstract: Touches on one hand or forearm can affect tactile sensitivity at contralateral locations on the opposite side of the body. These interactions suggest an intimate connection between the two sides of the body. Here, we explore the effect of masking not across the body but through the body by measuring the effect of a masking stimulus on the back on the tactile sensitivity of the corresponding point on the front. Tactile sensitivity was measured on each side of the stomach, while vibrotactile masking stimulation was applied to one side of the front and to points on the back including the point directly behind the test point on the front. Results were compared to sensitivity, while vibrotactile stimulation was applied to a control site on the shoulder. A reduction in sensitivity of about .8 dB was found that required the masking stimulus to be within about 2 cm of the corresponding point on the back.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Centre for Vision Research, York University, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada, saod16@yorku.ca.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Amour
authors.forename: Laurence R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D018594:Human Body; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult