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Updated: Oct 27, 2025

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects
Published on: September 1, 2016
Vibration Perception Thresholds of Skin Mechanoreceptors Are Influenced by Different Contact Forces
Claudio Zippenfennig1, Bert Wynands1, Thomas L Milani1
1Department of Human Locomotion, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany.
Abstract:
Determining vibration perception thresholds (VPT) is a central concern of clinical research and science to assess the somatosensory capacity of humans. The response of different mechanoreceptors to an increasing contact force has rarely been studied. We hypothesize that increasing contact force leads to a decrease in VPTs of fast-adapting mechanoreceptors in the sole of the human foot. VPTs of 10 healthy subjects were measured at 30 Hz and 200 Hz at the heel of the right foot using a vibration exciter. Contact forces were adjusted precisely between 0.3 N-9.6 N through an integrated force sensor. Significant main effects were found for frequency and contact force. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction for frequency and contact force, meaning that the influence of an increasing contact force was more obvious for the 30 Hz condition. We presume that the principles of contrast enhancement and spatial summation are valid in Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles, respectively. In addition to spatial summation, we presume an effect on Pacinian corpuscles due to their presence in the periosteum or interosseous membrane.
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