Tactile Perception Modulation by Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

To modulate or induce tactile feeling by transcutaneous electric stimulation, we developed a stimulation system generating various spiking patterns. The stimulator can operate in periodic and non-periodic mode to generate various signals. Moreover, it can control various signal parameters, namely, pulse width, single-pulse period, epoch width, inter-epoch intervals, number of repetitions, and amplitude, in given ranges. Ten spiking patterns were designed to mimic action potentials of slowly adapting receptors which are mechanoreceptors related to tactile sensation. Thirty subjects (25 men and 5 women, 2132 years old) participated in this experiment and were asked to answer six questions regarding the degree to which the induced sensations were perceived. The results indicated that the stimulation system and spiking patterns successfully induced various tactile feelings, which, however, varied depending on the subjects and patterns.