THE EFFECTS OF STATIC INDENTATION ON VIBROTACTILE THRESHOLD

Vibrotactile thresholds were measured on the thenar eminence and the v olar forearm at different static depths of skin indentation. Three sti mulus frequencies (1, 20, and 200 Hz) were delivered through either a 0.008- or a 2.9-cm(2) contactor. The indentation depths ranged from 0 to 1 mm (0.25-mm steps) relative to the point of skin contact with the stimulator. There was a significant effect of indentation in all stim ulus combinations of contactor size, location, and frequency. These re sults resolve an apparent discrepancy in the literature regarding thre shold reduction with increasing contactor size observed on the forearm at low frequencies. (C) 1996 Acoustical Society of America.