Lingual vibrotactile sensation magnitudes: comparison of suprathreshold responses in men and women.

Abstract

The psychophysical method of magnitude production was used to obtain suprathreshold sensation magnitude functions at a frequency of 250 Hz from the anterior midline portion of the tongue of 20 adult subjects (ten men and ten women). Results showed that the anterior dorsum of the tongue can produce suprathreshold magnitude functions compatible with those described in the literature, but with a steeper slope value. The steeper slopes can be related to the psychophysical method employed, the use of a small skin contactor, the use of a rigid surround around the contactor, and the physiological nature of the tongue itself. It was also determined that women produce slightly different lingual suprathreshold magnitude curves than men. The upper slope value for the women is similar to that for the men, but the lower slope of the magnitude curve is somewhat steeper indicating that if women and men are presented with the same stimulus amplitude, the women will perceive it as being slightly greater.