Search results for "Sensory threshold"
showing 8 items of 58 documents
Small-sample characterization of stochastic approximation staircases in forced-choice adaptive threshold estimation
2007
Despite the widespread use of up—down staircases in adaptive threshold estimation, their efficiency and usability in forced-choice experiments has been recently debated. In this study, simulation techniques were used to determine the small-sample convergence properties of stochastic approximation (SA) staircases as a function of several experimental parameters. We found that satisfying some general requirements (use of the accelerated SA algorithm, clear suprathreshold initial stimulus intensity, large initial step size) the convergence was accurate independently of the spread of the underlying psychometric function. SA staircases were also reliable for targeting percent-correct levels far …
Separate processing of “color” and “brightness” in goldfish
1991
Spectral sensitivity was measured under different adaptation levels using a behavioral training technique in which the fish had to discriminate between a dark test field and a test field illuminated with monochromatic light. Depending on which of the two test fields was used as training test field, two functions were obtained which differ (1) in absolute sensitivity and (2) in shape. When trained on the dark test field, the fish seems to discriminate on the basis of a "color" cue, but it uses a "brightness" cue when trained on the illuminated test field. This was concluded from measurements of wavelength discrimination. Under low levels of the adaptation light (1.5 and 0.2 lx instead of 20 …
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on salivary flow in healthy adults
2020
Background Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a method used for enhancing suprahyoid muscle activity and is widely applied as a treatment for dysphagia. Patients often complain of saliva pooling in the pharynx during NMES. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in salivary flow during NMES. Material and methods Twenty healthy adults participated in this study. Electrical stimulation was applied at constant strength for 60 minutes to the suprahyoid muscles using VitalStim®. Participants were examined under three conditions of NMES: sensory threshold plus 75% of the difference between sensory and pain thresholds (75% Stim), SensoryStim, and Sham. Saliv…
Effects of deep cervical flexor training on pressure pain thresholds over myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic neck pain.
2012
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a low-load training program for the deep cervical flexors (DCFs) on pain, disability, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) over cervical myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in patients with chronic neck pain.Thirty patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain participated in a 6-week program of specific training for the DCF, which consisted of active craniocervical flexion performed twice per day (10-20 minutes) for the duration of the trial. Perceived pain and disability (Neck Disability Index, 0-50) and PPT over MTrPs of the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and splenius capitis muscles were measured at the beginning and end of the training…
Use of electronic nose to determine defect percentage in oils. Comparison with sensory panel results
2010
Abstract An electronic nose based on an array of 6 metal oxide semiconductor sensors was used, jointly with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and artificial neural network (ANN) method, to classify oils containing the five typical virgin olive oil (VOO) sensory defects (fusty, mouldy, muddy, rancid and winey). For this purpose, these defects, available as single standards of the International Olive Council, were added to refined sunflower oil. According to the LDA models and the ANN method, the defected samples were correctly classified. On the other hand, the electronic nose data was used to predict the defect percentage added to sunflower oil using multiple linear regression models. All …
Color stimuli perception in presence of light scattering.
2006
Perception of different color contrast stimuli was studied in the presence of light scattering: in a fog chamber in Clermont-Ferrand and in laboratory conditions where light scattering of similar levels was obtained, using different light scattering eye occluders. Blue (shortest wavelength) light is scattered in fog to the greatest extent, causing deterioration of vision quality especially for the monochromatic blue stimuli. However, for the color stimuli presented on a white background, visual acuity in fog for blue Landolt-C optotypes was higher than for red and green optotypes on the white background. The luminance of color Landolt-C optotypes presented on a LCD screen was chosen corresp…
Evaluation of the efficacy of the ‘nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre’ for smell rehabilitation in laryngectomees by means of the Sniffin′ Sticks test
2011
Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 17–23 Objective: To determine the efficacy of the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre (NAIM) as a method for olfactory rehabilitation in laryngectomees by the means of the Sniffin′ Sticks test. Study design: Prospective open interventional trial. Setting: Tertiary academic hospital. Participants: Thirty-seven patients after laryngectomy have been screened and 25 patients have been included into the study. The participant’s sense of smell was tested with the Sniffin′ Sticks test before and after learning the nasal airflow inducing manoeuvre. The individual level of threshold, discrimination and identification (TDI) was determined and the individual threshold, di…
Patients with Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy Show Altered Thermal Sensitivity and Autonomic Function
2021
Cirrhotic patients may experience alterations in the peripheral nervous system and in somatosensory perception. Impairment of the somatosensory system could contribute to cognitive and motor alterations characteristic of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), which affects up to 40% of cirrhotic patients. We assessed the relationship between MHE and alterations in thermal, vibration, and/or heat pain sensitivity in 58 cirrhotic patients (38 without and 20 with MHE according to Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score) and 39 controls. All participants underwent attention and coordination tests, a nerve conduction study, autonomic function testing, and evaluation of sensory thresholds (vibra…