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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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Published on: March 11, 2022
Foot sole skin temperature affects plantar foot sensitivity
Günther Schlee1, Thorsten Sterzing, Thomas L Milani
1Chemnitz University of Technology, Institute for Sport Science, Department of Human Locomotion, Chemnitz, Germany. guenter.schlee@phil.tu-chemnitz.de
Summary
Foot sole temperature significantly impacts vibration sensitivity in healthy individuals. Controlling temperature is crucial for accurate quantitative sensory testing data collection.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sensory Physiology
Background:
- Foot sensitivity is influenced by factors like age and polyneuropathic diseases.
- The effect of temperature on foot sensitivity is not well-established.
- Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is used to assess foot sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of foot sole temperature on vibration sensitivity in healthy subjects.
- To determine if temperature variations affect QST data accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Forty healthy subjects (20 male, 20 female) participated.
- Vibration thresholds were measured at the heel, 1st metatarsal head, and hallux at 200Hz.
- Thresholds were recorded at baseline and after cooling/warming foot skin by 5-6°C.
Main Results:
- No significant gender differences in vibration thresholds were observed.
- Vibration thresholds increased significantly after skin cooling at all measured locations.
- Vibration thresholds decreased significantly after skin warming at all measured locations.
Conclusions:
- Minor temperature fluctuations significantly alter vibration sensitivity in healthy individuals.
- Temperature control is essential for reliable and high-quality QST data.
- Standardizing temperature during QST enhances data validity.
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