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Speed-dependent modulation of tactile edge orientation discrimination
Vaishnavi Sukumar1,2,3, J Andrew Pruszynski1,2,3
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|February 16, 2026
Summary
Movement speed significantly impacts edge-orientation discrimination. Slower speeds enhance tactile perception, while faster speeds impair the ability to discern edge orientation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Perception
- Tactile Sensing
Background:
- Previous research on edge-orientation discrimination used limited speed ranges.
- Active exploration speed's effect on tactile discrimination was not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of varying movement speeds on edge-orientation discrimination.
- To determine if natural exploration speed correlates with discrimination ability.
Main Methods:
- Participants actively moved their finger across edge pairs at cued speeds (5, 29, 90, 180 mm/s).
- Discrimination accuracy for non-parallel edge pairs was measured.
- Correlation between natural and cued speed performance was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Natural finger exploration speed averaged 29 mm/s.
- No correlation found between natural speed and discrimination capacity.
- Edge-orientation discrimination improved at slow speeds (5 mm/s) and worsened at high speeds (90, 180 mm/s).
Conclusions:
- Movement speed is a critical factor in tactile edge-orientation discrimination.
- Optimal tactile performance is achieved at slower than natural exploration speeds.
- Performance degrades significantly at higher movement speeds, suggesting altered sensory processing.
