Space-time dependencies and thermal perception

Abstract

This experiment was focused on determining whether the spatial representation of thermal stimuli is influenced by the temporal parameters of stimulation as has been demonstrated for tactile stimuli. Four warm thermal pulses within the innocuous range of temperatures were presented on the forearm in varying spatial and temporal sequences. Participants indicated the perceived location of the first two pulses in the four-pulse sequence after each trial. The results indicate that the perceived position of the second pulse changed substantially in the direction of the third pulse when the interval between the pulses was brief (0.2 s). At longer intervals there was no change in perceived location. These results indicate that despite the limitations in the spatial and temporal processing of thermal stimuli, somatotopic information appears to be integrated similarly for tactile and thermal stimuli.