Name: measurement of vibration detection threshold and tactile spatial acuity in human subjects
Uploaded: 2016-09-01T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects at JoVE.com

The research and development leading to the above described vibration test was funded by the European Research Council (ERC, ADG 294678) and the German Research Council (grant, SFB665). Thanks go to the Max-Delbr&#252;ck-Center technical and support staff, Mr. R. Fischer, B. Neumann, and Mr. M. Pflaume, who provided invaluable assistance with the project.

Testprotokollet godkändes av Charité-Universitätsmedizin etikkommittén. 1. Vibrationsdetektionströskel (VDT) <ol><li> Enhet och provningsprotokoll Assembly - pretesting <ol><li> Montera komponenterna i anordningen enligt figur 1A. Placera en slät yta bräda (40 cm x 80 cm) på ett bord. Placera mässingstång på tavlan. </li><li> Anslut piezoelektriska ställdon (vibrations stimulator) till styrenheten. </li><li> Anslut svarsrutan och den visningsenhet till det informationsinsamlande sy...

<ol>
	<li>Poole, K., Herget, R., Lapatsina, L., Ngo, H. D., Lewin, G. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tuning+Piezo+ion+channels+to+detect+molecular-scale+movements+relevant+for+fine+touch.">Tuning Piezo ion channels to detect molecular-scale movements relevant for fine touch.</a> Nat Commun. 5, 3520 (2014).</li><li>Lechner, S. G., Lewin, G. 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Am. 49 (2), (1971).</li><li>International Organization for Standardization. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+vibration-Vibrotactile+perception+thresholds+for+the+assessment+of+nerve+dysfunction-Part+1:+Methods+of+measurement+at+the+fingertips.">Mechanical vibration-Vibrotactile perception thresholds for the assessment of nerve dysfunction-Part 1: Methods of measurement at the fingertips.</a> ISO 13091-1. , (2001).</li><li>International Organization for Standardization. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+vibration-Vibrotactile+perception+thresholds+for+the+assessment+of+nerve+dysfunction-Part+2:+Analysis+and+interpretation+of+measurements+at+the+fingertips.">Mechanical vibration-Vibrotactile perception thresholds for the assessment of nerve dysfunction-Part 2: Analysis and interpretation of measurements at the fingertips.</a> ISO 13091-2. , (2003).</li><li>Holden, J. K., Nguyen, R. H., Francisco, E. M., Zhang, Z., Dennis, R. G., Tommerdahl, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+device+for+the+study+of+somatosensory+information+processing.">A novel device for the study of somatosensory information processing.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 204 (2), 215-220 (2012).</li><li>G&#252;&#231;l&#252;, B., Oztek, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tactile+sensitivity+of+children:+effects+of+frequency,+masking,+and+the+non-Pacinian+I+psychophysical+channel.">Tactile sensitivity of children: effects of frequency, masking, and the non-Pacinian I psychophysical channel.</a> J Exp Child Psychol. 98 (2), 113-130 (2007).</li><li>Cohen, J. C., Makous, J. C., Bolanowski, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Under+which+conditions+do+the+skin+and+probe+decouple+during+sinusoidal+vibrations?.">Under which conditions do the skin and probe decouple during sinusoidal vibrations?.</a> Exp Brain Res. 129 (2), 211-217 (1999).</li><li>Makous, J. C., Gescheider, G. A., Bolanowski, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+static+indentation+on+vibrotactile+threshold.">The effects of static indentation on vibrotactile threshold.</a> J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 99 (5), 3149-3153 (1996).</li><li>Goldreich, D., Kanics, I. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tactile+Acuity+is+Enhanced+in+Blindness.">Tactile Acuity is Enhanced in Blindness.</a> J. Neurosci. 23 (8), 3439-3445 (2003).</li><li>Peters, R. M., Goldreich, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tactile+Spatial+Acuity+in+Childhood:+Effects+of+Age+and+Fingertip+Size.">Tactile Spatial Acuity in Childhood: Effects of Age and Fingertip Size.</a> PLoS One. 8 (12), (2013).</li><li>Tong, J., Mao, O., Goldreich, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-point+orientation+discrimination+versus+the+traditional+two-point+test+for+tactile+spatial+acuity+assessment.">Two-point orientation discrimination versus the traditional two-point test for tactile spatial acuity assessment.</a> Front Hum Neurosci. 7, 579 (2013).</li><li>Goldreich, D., Wong, M., Peters, R. M., Kanics, I. 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De tekniker som används för att utvärdera VDT varierar till specifikationerna, hårdvara och testprotokoll. International Organization for Standardization specificerar de metoder och förfaranden för att analysera och tolka vibrotaktila trösklar inklusive rekommendationer för de olika komponenterna i en vibrometer (ISO 13.091-1 och 2 26,27) Den beskrivna testsystem förblir de relevanta ISO-rekommendationer för att testa frekvensområde (4-125 Hz), metod (variant av upp-ner trappa och tvångs val), son...

Specialized mechanosensory receptors in the skin mediate the perception of vibration and grating orientation. Each mechanosensory receptor type is tuned to detect distinct features of tactile stimuli1,2. This property provides the psychophysical basis for a differentiated assessment of mechanosensory function by using tests that deliver simple sinusoidal oscillations (vibration) or fine gratings. It is known that psychophysical thresholds for vibration perception are lower for high than low frequency vibration3,4. Two types of rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors associated with the Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles primarily detect low (10-40 Hz) and high (100-200 Hz) frequency vibration stimuli, respectively5. It is thought that the psychophysical thresholds for vibration perception rely to a considerable extent on the activation of these two sets of mechanoreceptors at their best frequencies6,7. Tactile spatial acuity is tested by the grating orientation task to determine the finest grating whose orientation can be discriminated by a subject7-9. Merkel cell-neurite complex afferents are essential for detecting grating orientation8,10. Interestingly, there has been considerable recent progress in our understanding of the molecular basis of how mechanoreceptors detect extremely small tactile stimuli11. Mechanosensitive ion channels like Piezo2 and modulators like STOML3 have been directly implicated in the detection of fine tactile stimuli in touch receptors12-15. There are already human patients identified with function altering mutations in the Piezo2 gene and it will be important to test whether such patients have touch deficits16. 
The determination of the vibrotactile threshold relies on the delivery of a vibrating stimulus to the skin. Vibration detection thresholds vary with the vibration frequency. Vibration frequency to detection threshold curves were described by von Bekesey, Verillo, and Bolanowski, among many others, from the 1930s up to the 1990s5,17. The devices in the early days were based on shakers and power amplifiers and several devices have been commercialized and there are a lot of variation as to choice of stimulator (testing frequency), the diameter of the probe in contact with skin, the use of a surround to limit the stimulation to one area of the skin, and the testing protocol that determines the threshold (see the following references for more detailed insight on the device and testing features)18-20. Most devices usually test one site; however, there are new devices that use vertical displacement stimulators equipped with 2 probes to deliver vibratory stimuli with separation ranges that can be varied21. Also detection thresholds are measured based on vibration frequency or intensity discrimination with continuous stimulation; or with intermittent vibration stimuli with or without a masking stimulus. Therefore, we recommend that the reader be aware of the plethora of developments in this field. 
Here, we describe the components of the device and a step-by-step guide on how to conduct psychophysical tests to estimate vibration detection threshold in human subjects. We then show how to assess tactile acuity manually by using the tactile acuity cube. We use a two-interval, forced-choice paradigm: the stimulus is always presented during one of two intervals and the subject has to indicate which interval has the vibration stimulus. We employ a transformed-rule up and down as the adaptive method that executes a threshold search by changing the stimulus intensity based on the performance during the test. Both psychophysical protocols can be used by investigators as a screening tool for evaluation of alterations in touch sensitivity.

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	<tbody>
		<tr height="145">
			<td height="145" style="height:145px;width:115px;">Piezo actuator</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Physik Instrument, Germany</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">P-602.1L</td>
			<td style="width:411px;">The linear piezoelectric actuator, with integrated position sensor and motion amplifier, contains a piezoceramic material that elongates and contracts when voltage is applied. The piezoelectric actuator travels up to100 &#181;m. The actuator is equipped with a flexure guide that ensures straight motion without tilting or lateral offset. The displacement is linear and calibration is done and checked by the manufacturer. It is recommended that on-axis movement of the probe be checked under the microscope. According to the manufacturer, the stimulus amplitude dampens by less than 20% at oscillating frequencies of 1000 Hz. This can be checked by using a force or displacement measuring device (e.g. force transducer from Kleindiek).</td>
			<td style="width:555px;">The linear piezoelectric actuator, with integrated position sensor and motion amplifier, contains a piezoceramic material that elongates and contracts when voltage is applied. The piezoelectric actuator travels up to100 &#181;m. The actuator is equipped with a flexure guide that ensures straight motion without tilting or lateral offset. The displacement is linear and calibration is done and checked by the manufacturer. It is recommended that on-axis movement of the probe be checked under the microscope. According to the manufacturer, the stimulus amplitude dampens by less than 20% at oscillating frequencies of 1000 Hz. This can be checked by using a force or displacement measuring device (e.g. force transducer from Kleindiek).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="547">
			<td height="547" style="height:546px;width:115px;">Piezo Amplifier / Servo Controller</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Physik Instrument, Germany</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">E-665</td>
			<td style="width:411px;">E-665 amplifier/controller drives and controls the displacement of a low-voltage piezoelectric actuator in a system with sensor position feedback (SGS sensors). The servo-controller provides the option for closed loop operation. When applying sinusoidal and oscillating stimuli the amplitude signal deviates from the set amplitude starting from 500 Hz and reaches a maximum decrease of 20% at 1000Hz.&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:555px;">E-665 amplifier/controller drives and controls the displacement of a low-voltage piezoelectric actuator in a system with sensor position feedback (SGS sensors). The servo-controller provides the option for closed loop operation. When applying sinusoidal and oscillating stimuli the amplitude signal deviates from the set amplitude starting from 500 Hz and reaches a maximum decrease of 20% at 1000Hz. &#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="39">
			<td height="57" rowspan="2" style="height:57px;width:115px;">LabChart Software</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:83px;">ADInstruments, USA</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">LabChart 7, MLU60/8</td>
			<td style="width:411px;">Can create, store and run macro of the psychophysical testing algorithm.&#160;</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:555px;">Can create, store and run macro of the psychophysical testing algorithm.&#160;&#160;</td>
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		<tr height="18">
			<td height="18" style="height:18px;width:221px;"></td>
			<td style="width:411px;"></td>
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		<tr height="17">
			<td height="35" rowspan="2" style="height:35px;width:115px;">PowerLab</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:83px;">ADInstruments, USA</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">PowerLab 4/35 PL3504</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:411px;">Data Acquisition Hardware. Used with LabChart software.</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:555px;">Data Acquisition Hardware. Used with LabChart software.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="18">
			<td height="18" style="height:18px;width:221px;"></td>
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		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;width:115px;">Brass bar</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Custom-made</td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">Bar made of pure brass, weighs 15.5Kg. When the peizoelectric actuator is mounted on the brass bar it should exert a force of 30 g weight on skin surface.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:115px;">Monitor</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Custom-made</td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">To mark the 1st and the 2nd interval. The monitor indicates to the subject the time intervals during which the stimulus may be presented.</td>
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		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:115px;">Response box</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Custom-made</td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">The subject indicates the interval at which stimulus occurred.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:115px;">Board&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Custom-made</td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">Upper surface should be smooth (Plastic), lower surface made of foam to prevent stray vibration ot be transmitted to the stimulating pobe.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="71">
			<td height="71" style="height:71px;width:115px;">Probe</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Custom-made</td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">A flat circular probe with smoothed edges (thermoplastic material) attached to a screw head. The screw should be of appropriate size to be tightened directly to the moving part of piezoelectric actuator. Size of the probe can be according to preference; in our case, diameter 8.21mm and surface area 52.9mm2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="39">
			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:115px;">Labchart Script</td>
			<td style="width:83px;"></td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">Can be sent on request. See supplementary code file.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="51">
			<td height="51" style="height:51px;width:115px;">Tactile Acuity Cube</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">MedCore</td>
			<td style="width:221px;"></td>
			<td colspan="2" style="width:965px;">The cube is comprised of 6 sides each containing a grating (bar and groove) whose widths are 0.75, 1.25, 1.75, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 mm.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

measurement of vibration detection threshold and tactile spatial acuity in human subjects

Tests that allow the precise determination of psychophysical thresholds for vibration and grating orientation provide valuable information about mechanosensory function that are relevant for clinical diagnosis as well as for basic research. Here, we describe two psychophysical tests designed to determine the vibration detection threshold (automated system) and tactile spatial acuity (handheld device). Both procedures implement a two-interval forced-choice and a transformed-rule up and down experimental paradigm. These tests have been used to obtain mechanosensory profiles for individuals from distinct human cohorts such as twins or people with sensorineural deafness.

Det piezoelektriska manövreringsorgan ger vibrationer stimulans till patienten. Vibrations stimulus har en total längd av 1,8 sekunder och presenteras endast en gång under en rättegång under det första eller andra intervall (Figur 2A). Uppgång och fall tid vid tillslag och hävning av stimulans bestäms av funktioner (1-e -bt) ∙ Amplitude ∙ sinus (frekvens), och (e -bt) ∙ Amplitude ∙ sinus (frekvens), respektive, där B är satt till ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects at JoVE.com

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Här presenterar vi protokoll för att fastställa gränsvärden vibrationslarm och taktila skärpa med hjälp av psykofysiska metoder hos människa.

Mätning av vibrationsdetektionströskel och taktil Spatial Acuity hos människa

Tests that allow the precise determination of psychophysical thresholds for vibration and grating orientation provide valuable information about ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities

Kvantitativ bedömning av kortikal Auditory-taktil bearbetning hos barn med funktionshinder

Objective and easy measurement of sensory processing is extremely difficult in nonverbal or vulnerable pediatric patients. We developed a new methodology ...

Performing Behavioral Tasks in Subjects with Intracranial Electrodes

Utföra Behavioral Uppgifter i ämnen med Intrakraniella Elektroder

Patients having stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) electrode, subdural grid or depth electrode implants have a multitude of electrodes implanted in ...

Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms

Testning Tactile Maskering mellan underarmarna

Masking, in which one stimulus affects the detection of another, is a classic technique that has been used in visual, auditory, and tactile research, ...

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery

Fastställande Smärta Detection och toleranströsklar hjälp av en integrerad, multimodal Pain Task Batteri

Human pain models are useful in the assessing the analgesic effect of drugs, providing information about a drug&#39;s pharmacology and identify ...

The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

(Rumsliga) minne spelet: Testa förhållandet mellan rumsliga språk, objekt kunskap och Spatial kognition

The memory game paradigm is a behavioral procedure to explore the relationship between language, spatial memory, and object knowledge. Using two different ...

Whole Body Vibration Methods with Survivors of Polio

Hela kroppen vibrationer metoder med överlevande från Polio

The purpose of the original study was to examine the use of whole body vibration (WBV) on polio survivors with and without post-polio syndrome as a form ...

Applying Incongruent Visual-Tactile Stimuli during Object Transfer with Vibro-Tactile Feedback

Använda inkongruenta visuella taktila stimuli under objekt överföring med vibro-taktil återkoppling

The application of incongruent sensory signals that involves disrupted tactile feedback is rarely explored, specifically with the presence of vibrotactile ...

Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip

Mätning av Spatial stabilitet i Precision Grip

The purpose of the protocol is to indirectly evaluate the direction of the finger force during manipulation of a handheld object based on the ...

Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training

Effekt av högintensiv intervallträning och måttlig intensitet kontinuerlig träning på hjärtats Troponin T nivå i ett tidigt skede av träningen

An elevation in cardiac troponin T (cTnT), as a highly specific biomarker of cardiomyocyte damage, after moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MCE) has ...

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator (TSPAS)

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator TSPAS

Taktil halvautomatisk passiv fingervinkelstimulator (TSPAS)

Passive tactile perception is the ability to passively and statically perceive stimulus information coming from the skin; for example, the ability to ...