Analysis of Hot-Cold Confusion on Fingers

Abstract

The thermosensory system may misidentify a temperature stimulus with different thermal properties. The mechanism of this hot-cold confusion has not been clarified; hence, it has not yet been applied. In this study, we created a wearable temperature presentation device that is closer to the application and analyzed the tendency and mechanism of temperature confusion by analyzing the hot-cold confusion of temperature sensation in the fingers, which are most frequently in contact with objects. Two experiments were performed. In the first experiment, we presented stimuli on the tips of three fingers (first, second, and third fingers). In the second experiment, we presented stimuli at the center of the distal phalanx, middle phalanx, and proximal phalanx of the first finger. The experimental results indicated the occurrence of hot-cold confusion. Domination, in which the center is dominated by both ends, and a mutual effect, in which the center interacts with both ends, were observed.