Comparison of child and adult vibrotactile thresholds

Abstract

Vibrotactile detection thresholds were measured in two groups of six subjects each: a child group having a mean age of 10 years, and an adult group having a mean age of 21 years. Measurements were made on the thenar eminence at frequencies between 25 and 700 Hz using four contactor sizes ranging from.005 to 2.9 cm2. Results show that children are more sensitive than adults to sinusoidal vibrations at most frequencies and that spatial summation is a functional characteristic of children’s skin. The results are consistent with a filter model of the Pacinian corpuscle. © 1977, The psychonomic soceity, inc.. All rights reserved.