Abstract
Electrical stimulation of the skin using a needle-electrode specifically activates nociceptive nerve fibres. The detection of such stimuli by subjects depends on the activation of subsequent nociceptive mechanisms. Activation of these mechanisms depends on the temporal stimulus properties, such as the pulse-width, number of pulses, and inter-pulse interval. Here, we study whether different temporal stimulus properties do not only affect the detection threshold, but also the slope of the psychophysical curve. 30 healthy human subjects were included in a 10-minute psychophysical experiment. The results showed that the psychophysical function, and thus the detection probability, depends on stimulus properties. This suggests that additional estimation of the psychophysical curve could be useful for improved observation of (several) nociceptive mechanisms.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 5th Dutch Conference on Bio-Medical Engineering |
Place of Publication | Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands |
Publisher | BME |
Pages | 146-146 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Event | 5th Dutch Bio-Medical Engineering Conference, BME 2015 - Hotel Zuiderduin, Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands Duration: 22 Jan 2015 → 23 Jan 2015 Conference number: 5 |
Conference
Conference | 5th Dutch Bio-Medical Engineering Conference, BME 2015 |
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Abbreviated title | BME 2015 |
Country/Territory | Netherlands |
City | Egmond aan Zee |
Period | 22/01/15 → 23/01/15 |
Keywords
- BSS-Central mechanisms underlying chronic pain
- Nociception
- Electrical stimulation
- Pain
- Psychophysics
- Human subjects