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Abstract

Biology

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)

Published: June 3rd, 2009

DOI:

10.3791/1374

1Department of Occupational Therapy, Duquesne University, 2Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University

Although tactile spatial acuity tests are used in both neuroscience research and clinical assessment, few automated devices exist for delivering controlled spatially structured stimuli to the skin. Consequently, investigators often apply tactile stimuli manually. Manual stimulus application is time consuming, requires great care and concentration on the part of the investigator, and leaves many stimulus parameters uncontrolled. We describe here a computer-controlled tactile stimulus system, the Tactile Automated Passive-finger Stimulator (TAPS), that applies spatially structured stimuli to the skin, controlling for onset velocity, contact force, and contact duration. TAPS is a versatile, programmable system, capable of efficiently conducting a variety of psychophysical procedures. We describe the components of TAPS, and show how TAPS is used to administer a two-interval forced-choice tactile grating orientation test.

Corresponding Author: Daniel Goldreich

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