Virtual Touch: Sensing and Feeling with Ultrasound, 2019-2020

Moore, Warren (2022). Virtual Touch: Sensing and Feeling with Ultrasound, 2019-2020. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Service. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-855714

The sense of touch codes the detection and properties of physical objects on the body via mechanoreceptors within the skin. Technological advancements, such as ultrasonic haptic devices, are now able to ‘touch without touching’, claiming this is virtual touch. An initial aim of the study was to investigate subjective intensity and pleasantness ratings of ultrasound stimulation and the influence of top-down factors using the Touch Experience and Attitudes QuestionnaireTouch Experience and Attitudes Questionnaire. Self-reported intensity and pleasantness ratings were measured in response to ultrasound stimuli. A second aim was to record from individual low threshold mechanoreceptors using the technique of microneurography in an attempt to determine which mechanoreceptors are activated by ultrasound stimulation of the skin. The major findings here were that microneurography found Slowly-adapting type-I and Slowly-adapting type-II units did not respond to ultrasound stimuli; intensity and pleasantness ratings were significantly different between age groups. Ultrasound can produce a variety of sensations with varying intensity and pleasantness ratings. A limitation of the study was the unexpected force difference generated between modulations. These findings have implications for mid-air haptics, somatosensory affective research, and virtual reality. Future research should focus on microneurography investigation of fast-adapting fibre responses to ultrasound.

Data description (abstract)

Data creators:

Creator Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Moore Warren	University of Liverpool	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5382-3834

Sponsors:

N/A

Topic classification:

Science and technology

Keywords:

AGEING, SENSORY SYSTEM, NERVOUS SYSTEM, ACOUSTICS

Project title:

Virtual Touch: Sensing and Feeling with Ultrasound.

Grant holders:

Warren Moore

Project dates:

From	To
1 September 2018	1 May 2020

Date published:

17 Jun 2022 12:16

Last modified:

17 Jun 2022 12:17

Coverage and Methodology

Collection period:

Date from:	Date to:
1 January 2019	1 May 2020

Geographical area:

Liverpool

Country:

United Kingdom

Data collection method:

Experiment one: Utilising an opportunity sampling method, Liverpool John Moores University students were recruited via an online booking system (SONA) and invited to the psychology lab. Participants read a participant information sheet before completing a consent form, demographic questionnaire and the Touch Experience and Attitudes Questionnaire. Finally, participants sat in the chair with their left palm up, supported on a suction cushion. The participants underwent a familiarisation trial where they received each stimulus once, in order to reduce novelty effects and to become tuned to the sensation of the experimenter’s hand was placed under the focal point and lasers were aimed at the point of sensation. The haptic device position was adjusted so that the focus point targeted the participant’s palm (fig 1). Ear defenders were worn by participants during the delivery of eight stimuli, each lasting 10 seconds in the order shown in table 2, and the start and end of stimulus delivery was marked by a short beep sound played through the laptop speakers. A 20 second pause was provided between stimuli allowing time for participant VAS responses, therefore amounting to 4m30sec total run time. Following stimuli two and six the device was manually moved to the arm and palm, respectively.

Experiment two: Using Microneurography, nerve type classification was determined by inserting the electrode percutaneously, 1-3cm proximal to the cubital fold, into the lateral antebrachial nerve. Sensations down the arm produced by weak electrical pulses (0.1-3mA) indicated the electrode was interfascicular. Nerve fibre tuning characteristics and receptive field size were identified using Von-Frey hairs (<5mN), tuning fork vibration and gentle stroking touch. Nerve activation was record in response to all ultrasound outputs and modulations.

Observation unit:

Individual

Kind of data:

Numeric

Type of data:

Experimental data

Resource language:

English

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