Tactile Detection Threshold Research Articles

Are Sympathetic Blocks Useful for Diagnostic Purposes?

Sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) can occur in patients with neuropathic pain. Sympathetically maintained pain is frequently diagnosed clinically by assessing the analgesic effect of an appropriate sympathetic block (SB). The diagnostic value of such blocks depends on both the degree of sympathetic activity disruption achieved and its duration without unintentional concomitant sensory block. This pilot study evaluated the rate of diagnostically valuable SBs performed by experienced anesthesiologists in 19 patients (stellate/thoracic blocks: n = 11, lumbar blocks: n = 12). Monitoring included pain rating before SB; 10 and 30 minutes; and at 1, 3, and 6 hours after SB; bilateral skin temperature 30 minutes before SB through 120 minutes after SB; and detection of bilateral thresholds for cold, warmth, tactile, and vibration stimuli before and after. Ten (43%) of 23 SBs were not eligible for SMP diagnosis (4 had insufficient skin temperature increase; and 6 had cold or tactile detection threshold increases in the painful area). In 11 of the SBs, no significant sensory threshold change was detected; however, 2 individuals demonstrated marked reductions in the cold or tactile sensory thresholds. Sympathetically maintained pain was diagnosed in 3 (25%) of the 12 patients who had at least 1 SB with the required skin temperature increase without concomitant somatosensory block. Sympathetic blocks are useful in the diagnosis of SMP. However, their value is limited by the potential for false positives (unintentional sensory block) or false negatives (insufficient SB). Adequate monitoring of the sympathetic and somatosensory function for a minimum of 90 minutes after the intervention is essential to ensure that a valid diagnosis of SMP is made.

Lidocaine patch (5%) produces a selective, but incomplete block of Aδ and C fibers

Topical lidocaine (5%) leads to sufficient pain relief in only 29%–80% of treated patients, presumably by small-fiber block. The reasons for nonresponse are unclear; it may be due to different underlying pain mechanisms or partly insufficient anesthetic effect. Using quantitative sensory testing (QST) following the protocol of the DFNS (German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain), this study aims to assess the type and extent of somatosensory changes after lidocaine application in healthy volunteers. Twenty-six healthy volunteers underwent QST on the volar forearm, including thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds, twice before (for baseline retest reliability) and once after 6-hour simultaneous application with lidocaine patch 5% and contralateral placebo in a double-blinded manner. Pre and post differences of QST parameters were analyzed by paired t-test (Bonferroni-corrected alpha 0.0023). QST profiles did not change between the 2 baseline measurements and after the placebo application. Lidocaine application led to a significant change of only the small-fiber-associated thresholds (increase of thermal detection and mechanical pain thresholds, decrease of mechanical pain sensitivity). Tactile detection thresholds representing Aβ function remained unchanged. Interindividually, the extent of the small-fiber block varied widely (eg, thermal detection thresholds: in 54% of the subjects there were only minimal changes; in only 8% were there changes of >60% of the maximal achievable value). Topical lidocaine (5%) induces thermal hypoesthesia and pinprick hypoalgesia, suggesting an isolated but only partial block of Aδ and C fibers of unpredictable extent. Further studies must analyze the influencing factors and determine whether patients with poor analgesic effect, in particular, are those with insufficient small-fiber block.

Tactile Detection Threshold is Changed According to Temporal Synchrony with Visual Stimulus

Cross-talk between visual and tactile modalities influences on very different levels from neural activities, perception to higher cognition and behaviour. Many researches showed that one modality alters the other modality perception. There are some plausible explanations for those perceptual changes by multisensory inputs. The viewpoint of “Pre-attention effect” which is attention drawn by another modality(vision) facilitates the tactile encoding is more advocated by many researches. However, the timing issue between two modalities is critical in order to insist that attention across modality enhances perceptual sensitivity(detection threshold). So, the aim of this study is how vision influences on tactile sensitivity according to temporal synchrony. Total 15 subjects were given to perform the 2FAC task whether tactile pulse is felt. Even 6 points of tactile sub-threshold including none condition are randomly set to observe psychophysical detection performance. Visual stimuli are simultaneously provided with SOAs (0,±50,±100,±300) and no visual stimulus was given to Tactile Only condition. Discriminability between visual and tactile stimulus shows better when two stimuli are apart so does not interrupt each other(SOA±300 or Tactile Only). However, the tactile threshold is more sensitive when providing with visual stimulus, especially when visual stimulus precedes 50ms than tactile one. The change of detection sensitivity at a certain time period(vision is presented forward 50ms) implies that attention is drawn across sensory modality and it facilitates perceptual sensitivity. Therefore, it is hard to say that multisensory input leads perception of other sensory modality and would rather say attention across modality enhances perceptual sensitivity.

Laterality and sex differences in tactile detection and two-point thresholds modified by body surface area and body fat ratio

Tactile detection and two-point discrimination tests are commonly used in neurological examinations. However, questions remain about the influence of both body and patient characteristics on test thresholds. The left side of the body has sometimes been reported more tactilely sensitive than the right, and females are said to be more sensitive than males. We measured tactile detection and two-point discrimination thresholds on the finger, palm, and forehead of a large sample of young adults (N = 171), examining laterality and sex differences, and the effects of body surface area (BSA) and body fat ratio (BFR). In tactile detection, there were no effects of laterality, BSA, or BFR, although females had lower thresholds than males. In two-point discrimination, there was an effect of laterality, with lower thresholds on the left side. This probably reflects hemispheric spatial processing differences. A significant BFR effect implies that subcutaneous fat affects skin deformation, but there were no effects of sex or BSA. The two-point discrimination findings differ in several respects from recent findings using grating orientation discriminations. A small positive correlation between the tasks, falling far short of test–retest reliabilities, indicates that they use largely disjoint but partially overlapping processes.

Tactile and thermal detection thresholds of the scalp skin

The tactile and thermal sensitivity of diverse regions of the human body have been documented extensively, with one exception being the scalp. Additionally, sensory changes may accompany the hair loss from the scalp in androgen-related alopecia (ARA), but formal quantitative sensory testing (QST) has not been reported in respect of this. Therefore, light touch detection thresholds were obtained at nine scalp sites and one forehead site, using Semmes–Weinstein filaments (Von Frey hairs), and for warming and cooling from skin baseline temperature, using 28 and 256 mm2 thermodes. Affective, thermal, and nociceptive sensations experienced at thermal detection threshold were quantified. Thirty-two male participants were recruited, 10 of whom had normal hair coverage, 12 of whom had shaved scalp but with potentially normal hair coverage, and 10 of whom exhibited ARA to some extent. The scalp was relatively insensitive to tactile and thermal stimulation at all tested sites, especially so along the midline and near the apex of the skull. Threshold level warm stimuli were rated less pleasant, the less sensitive the test site. After correction for age-related changes in sensitivity, bald scalp sites were found more sensitive to cooling than the same sites when shaved, consistent with prior informal reports of increased sensitivity for some scalp sensations in ARA. QST on hair-covered sites was subject to methodological issues that render such testing non-ideal, such as bias in measurement of resting skin temperatures, and the near impossibility of delivering filament stimuli to the scalp skin without disturbing neighboring hairs.

Agreeable Smellers and Sensitive Neurotics – Correlations among Personality Traits and Sensory Thresholds

Correlations between personality traits and a wide range of sensory thresholds were examined. Participants (N = 124) completed a personality inventory (NEO-FFI) and underwent assessment of olfactory, trigeminal, tactile and gustatory detection thresholds, as well as examination of trigeminal and tactile pain thresholds. Significantly enhanced odor sensitivity in socially agreeable people, significantly enhanced trigeminal sensitivity in neurotic subjects, and a tendency for enhanced pain tolerance in highly conscientious participants was revealed. It is postulated that varied sensory processing may influence an individual's perception of the environment; particularly their perception of socially relevant or potentially dangerous stimuli and thus, varied with personality.

Tactile sensation and occlusal loading condition of mandibular premolars and molars

The aim of the study was to investigate any correlation between tactile sensation and occlusal loading conditions of mandibular premolars and molars, by means of tactile detection threshold (TDT). TDTs of mandibular premolars and molars of twenty adults were determined by calibrated monofilaments. Occlusal force (OF) applied on each tooth at maximal-clenching was measured by a pressure-sensitive film. There was neither a correlation between the mean TDTs and the total OFs of individual participant nor in each tooth type. TDTs of the teeth on the preferred chewing side were significantly higher than those of the contralateral side. The results suggest that periodontal sensation is more related to frequency than to magnitude of loading.

Regulatory relationship between tactile sensation at the vermilion of the lips and lip-closing force

The objectives of this study were to identify the regulatory relationship between tactile sensation at the vermilion of the lips and the output of pursing-like lip-closing force (LCF), as measured by a multidirectional LCF measurement system. Thirty-six healthy subjects were divided into Anaesthesia and Vaseline groups. The tactile detection threshold (TDT) at six sites on the vermilion and the maximum voluntary LCFs in eight directions were recorded before and during partial or whole application of the agent and 6 h after whole application (Recovery). Five per cent lidocaine gel and Vaseline was applied to the vermilion in the Anaesthesia and Vaseline groups, respectively. These agents were applied to either the right part of the vermilion of the lower lip (Partial) or the whole vermilion (Whole). Partial application of 5% lidocaine gel significantly decreased the magnitudes of six of eight directional LCFs, while it only increased the TDT at one site. The subsequent whole application of 5% lidocaine gel did not affect the magnitude of the LCFs in five of these six directions although its application increased the TDTs at all sites. These reductions in LCF were reversed after recovery from surface anaesthesia. Vaseline application did not affect either TDT or LCF in any conditions. We concluded that tactile sensation at the vermilion of the lips is related to the output of LCF, without any particular directional specificity. The present results suggest the presence of a common synaptic drive ordering the pursing of the relevant muscles.

Anesthesia Literature Review

Anesthesia Literature Review

Multimodal therapeutic assessment of peripheral nerve stimulation in neuropathic pain: Five case reports with a 20-year follow-up

Neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve lesion is highly resistant to conventional pain treatments but may respond well to direct electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). In the 1980s, we treated a series of 11 peripheral neuropathic pain patients with PNS. A first outcome assessment, conducted after a 52-month follow-up, revealed that the majority of the patients were significantly improved. Here, we present the results of a second and more comprehensive follow-up, conducted after more than 20 years of PNS usage. Of the six patients still using PNS, five participated in a multimodality assessment of the long-term efficacy of PNS. Home evaluations showed reduced pain ratings and improved quality-of-life during active periods of stimulation. Quantitative sensory testing confirmed the neuropathic character of the pain complaints. PNS had no significant overall effect on tactile detection, cool, warmth, cold pain and heat pain thresholds. Laser-evoked potentials showed an enlarged N2–P2 complex during active PNS. Positron Emission Tomography revealed that PNS decreased activation in the pain matrix at rest and during thermal stimulation. PNS led to increased blood flow not only in primary somatosensory cortex, but also in anterior cingulate and insular cortices, suggesting that besides activation of the dorsal column lemniscal system, other mechanisms may play a role in its analgesic effects. These data show that PNS can provide truly long-term pain relief in carefully selected patients and they provide some objective quantitative data in support of this. They encourage the planning of future prospective studies in a larger cohort of patients.

Chronic pain in adults after thoracotomy in childhood or youth

Chronic pain is common after thoracotomy with reported prevalence rates of 20-60%. The pain may be caused by damage to the intercostal nerves during surgery. Some studies have suggested that young age at the time of surgery reduces the risk of developing chronic pain. So far, no studies have examined if children and adolescents develop chronic pain after thoracotomy. Eighty-eight patients, mean (sd) age 39.3 (7.7) yr, who underwent thoracotomy between the age of 0 and 25 yr were asked to recall the duration of postoperative pain and-if pain was still present-to describe intensity and character of pain. In addition, all patients underwent quantitative sensory testing. Fourteen patients (16%) recalled that their postoperative pain had lasted for more than 3 months: one (3.2%) patient in the youngest group (0-6 yr), seven (19.4%) patients in the age group 7-12 yr, and six (28.5%) patients in the age group 13-25 yr (P=0.03). Three out of the 14 patients, who were 11, 11, and 18 yr of age at the time of surgery, still had pain at present. Quantitative sensory testing revealed hypo- and hyperphenomena in most patients, including those with persistent pain. Tactile detection thresholds and pressure detection thresholds were significantly higher on the operated side when compared with the contralateral side (n=88; P<0.001). The risk of developing chronic pain after thoracotomy seems to be lower if surgery is performed at a young age. Pain after thoracotomy is likely to be of neuropathic origin.

Functional and structural nerve fiber findings in heterozygote patients with Fabry disease

Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited lysosomal disorder with dysfunction of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A causing accumulation of glycolipids in multiple organs including the nervous system. Pain and somatosensory disturbances are prominent manifestations of this disease. Until recently disease manifestations in female carriers of Fabry disease have been questioned. To explore the frequency of symptoms and the functional and structural involvement of the nervous system in female patients we examined the presence of pain, manifestations of peripheral neuropathy and nerve density in skin biopsies in 19 female patients with Fabry disease and 19 sex- and age-matched controls. Diaries, quantitative sensory testing, neurophysiologic tests and skin biopsies were performed. Daily pain was present in 63% of patients, with a median VAS score of 4.0. Tactile detection threshold and pressure pain threshold were lower and cold detection thresholds increased in patients. Sensory nerve action potential amplitude and maximal sensory conduction velocity were not different, whereas there was a highly significant reduction in intraepidermal nerve fiber density. We found no correlation between pain VAS score, quantitative sensory testing and intraepidermal nerve fiber density. Our study demonstrates that careful evaluation of symptoms in female Fabry patients is important as small fiber disease manifestations are present, which in some cases is only detected by skin biopsy.

The effect of tooth clenching on the sensory and pain perception in the oro‐facial region of symptom‐free men and women

The aim of this study was (i) to examine the effect of light tooth contact as in diurnal tooth clenching on the tactile detection threshold (TDT), the filament-prick pain detection threshold (FPT) and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the oro-facial region and (ii) to examine the possible gender difference in this effect on the tactile and pain perception. Twenty healthy volunteers participated. The TDT and the FPT were measured by means of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, on the cheek skin (CS) overlying the masseter muscles (MM) and on the skin overlying the palm side of the thenar skin (TS). The PPT was measured at the central part of the MM using a pressure algometer. Each parameter was measured before and after keeping light tooth contact for 5 min (session 1) and after keeping the jaw relaxed for 5 min (session 2) as a control. Although there were no significant session effects on any of the parameters, there were significant effects of experimental condition on the TDT in both men and women (P < 0.001). Men had a significant higher FPT of the left CS (P < 0.05) and TS (P < 0.01) and a significant higher PPT of the MM than women (P < 0.001). These results illustrate that sensitivity to pain (FPT, PPT) was higher in women than in men. Although there were no significant gender differences in habituation of sensory perception, the increase of TDT after clenching/no clenching was larger in women, which warrants further study.

The role of IL-6 and IL-1β in painful perineural inflammatory neuritis

Inflammation along a nerve trunk (perineural inflammation), without detectable axonal damage, has been shown to induce transient pain in the organ supplied by the nerve. The aims of the present study were to study the role IL-6 and IL-1β, in pain induced by perineural inflammation. Methods IL-6 and IL-1β secretion from rat’s sciatic nerves, L-5 Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG), and the hind paw skin, 3 and 8 days following exposure of the nerve to Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), were measured using ELISA method. Hind paw tactile-allodynia, mechano-hyperalgesia, heat-allodynia and electrical detection thresholds were tested up to 8 days following the application of CFA, IL-6 or IL-1β adjacent to the sciatic nerve trunk. Employing electrophysiological recording, saphenous nerve spontaneous activity, nerve trunk mechano-sensitivity and paw tactile detection threshold (determined by recording action potential induced by the lowest mechanical stimulus) were assessed 3 and 8 days following exposure of the nerve trunk to CFA, IL-6, or IL-1β. Results IL-6 and IL-1β secretion from the nerve was significantly elevated on the 3rd day post-operation (DPO). On the 8th DPO, IL-6 levels returned to baseline while IL-1β levels remained significantly elevated. The DRG cytokine’s level was increased on the 3rd and 8th DPOs, contralateral cytokine’s level was increased on the 3rd DPO. The skin IL-6 level was increased bilaterally on the 3rd DPO and returned to baseline on the 8th DPO. IL-1β levels increased in the affected side on the 3rd and bilaterally on the 8th DPO. Direct application of IL-6 or CFA on the sciatic nerve induced significant hind paw tactile-allodynia from the 1st to 5th DPOs, reduced electrical detection threshold from the 1st to 3rd DPOs, mechano-hyperalgesia from 3rd to 5th DPOs and heat-allodynia on the 3rd DPO. Direct application of IL-1β induced paw tactile and heat-allodynia on the 7–8th DPOs and mechano-hyperalgesia on the 5–8th DPOs. Perineural inflammation significantly increased spontaneous activity myelinated fibres 3 and 8 days following the application. Direct application of IL-6 induced elevation of spontaneous activity on the 3rd while IL-1β on the 8th DPO. Nerve mechano-sensitivity was significantly increased on the 3rd day following exposure to CFA and IL-6 and on the 8th following CFA application. The rat’s paw lowest mechanical force necessary for induction of action potential, was significantly reduced 3 days following CFA application. Conclusion IL-6 and IL-1β play an important role in pain induced by perineural inflammation. IL-6 activity is more prominent immediately following application (2–5th DPOs), while IL-1β, activity is more significant in a later stage (5–8th DPOs).

Ethnic differences regarding sensory, pain, and reflex responses in the trigeminal region

The present study evaluated ethnic differences in sensory, pain responses, and the exteroceptive suppression reflex (ES) in the trigeminal region. Twenty-eight Caucasian (14 men and 14 women, age from 20 to 31) and 28 gender and age matched Japanese participated. Tactile detection thresholds and filament-prick pain detection thresholds were measured on the left cheek skin. Surface EMG was recorded from the left masseter muscle, and 13 different intensities of electrical stimuli were applied to the skin overlying the left mental nerve. The first stimulation intensity at which the late ES appeared was defined as the electrical reflex threshold. The duration and suppression degree of the ES were also determined. Japanese subjects had a significantly lower sensory and pain threshold then Caucasian subjects. Caucasian subjects had a significantly lower electrical reflex threshold in comparison to Japanese subjects. Caucasian subjects had significantly longer duration of the ES and larger suppression degree of the ES compared to Japanese subjects. Our results demonstrate that ethnic differences exist not only concerning sensory and pain responses but also regarding reflex (motor) responses. The findings of this study have direct implications for studies evaluating different types of orofacial pain conditions and trigeminal reflexes.

Intraoral Measurement of Tactile and Filament-prick Pain Threshold Using Shortened Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments

Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments are too long for use in parts of the oral cavity. The present study used shortened Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments to evaluate reliability and spatial differences in the intraoral tactile detection threshold (TDT) and the filament-prick pain detection threshold (FPT) in healthy volunteers. For practical purposes, classic Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments with 20 different diameters were cut to half their length (ie, 19 mm) and the bending forces were measured. Eighteen men and 18 women (age range, 20 to 33 y) were recruited to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of measurements using half-cut monofilaments. The TDT and the FPT were measured on the labial maxillary gingiva, on the palatal maxillary gingiva, and at the anterior tip of the tongue, using a double random staircase method. According to the forces needed to bend the half-cut filaments, they were renumbered from 2.55 to 6.86. There were significant differences of bending force between the half-cut and original monofilaments (P<0.001), Using half-cut filaments, the following differences could be detected; the labial maxillary gingiva had a significantly higher TDT threshold compared with the other test sites (P<0.001). By contrast, the palatal posterior maxillary gingiva had a significantly higher FPT threshold compared with the other test sites (P<0.001). The present study illustrated that in healthy participants, half-cut Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments reliably and easily assess TDT and FPT intraorally. A combined examination of sensory and pain thresholds using these filaments contributes to the clinical examination for orofacial pain.

Tactile and pain thresholds in patients with myofascial pain of the jaw muscles: a case-control study.

To compare the tactile detection threshold, the filament-prick pain detection threshold, the pressure pain threshold, and the pressure pain tolerance detection threshold at multiple measuring points in the orofacial region and at the thenar muscle of symptom-free subjects and patients with myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles. Twenty patients (age range: 25 to 55 years) and 20 healthy subjects (age range: 25 to 55 years) were recruited. The tactile detection threshold and the filament prick-pain detection threshold were measured at the cheek skin overlying the central part of the left and right masseter muscles, at the right thenar muscle and at the tip of the tongue, using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The pressure pain threshold and the pressure pain tolerance threshold were measured at the central part of the masseter muscle and on the thenar muscle, using a pressure algometer. The intensity of pain perceived during the assessment of filament prick-pain detection threshold, pressure pain threshold, and the pressure pain tolerance threshold was scored on visual analog scales. The tongue tip had the lowest filament prick-pain detection thresholds as compared to the other sites. Filament prick-pain detection thresholds of the tongue and thumb sites were significantly lower in myofascial pain patients than in controls. Pressure pain thresholds of the masseter and thenar muscles were significantly lower in patients with myofascial pain than in control subjects whereas pressure pain tolerance thresholds did not differ significantly between patients and controls. The findings of the present study show topographic variations in the pain responses to different stimulus modalities. Different pain responses were also found between patients with myofascial pain and control subjects and were interpreted to support theories of centrally mediated pain for temporomandibular disorders.

Ethnic Differences Regarding Tactile and Pain Thresholds in the Trigeminal Region

The aim of the present study was to evaluate ethnic differences of the tactile detection threshold (TDT), the filament-prick pain detection threshold (FPT), the pressure pain detection threshold (PPT), and the pressure pain tolerance detection threshold (PTOL) in the orofacial region of symptom-free subjects. Twenty-two men and 22 women in Belgium and in Japan (age range from 20 to 31 years) participated. The TDT and the FPT were measured on the cheek skin (CS) overlying the masseter muscles (MM), on the maxillary gingiva (MG), and at the tip of the tongue (TT), using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The PPT and PTOL were measured at the central part of the MM, using a pressure algometer. A general linear model was used in each case to capture ethnic and gender effects. Japanese women had the lowest TDT at CS, in contrast to Belgian men, who had the highest value; a significant ethnic and gender effect was found (P=.026 and P<.001, respectively). Similar results were found for FPT at CS with significant ethnic and gender effects (P<.001 for both). There was no significant ethnic effect regarding intra-oral TDT and FPT or regarding PPT and PTOL. Our findings clearly indicate that future studies of tactile and pain measurements need to standardize and control for gender and ethnicity. Further, a comprehensive evaluation of results from various stimulation modalities may better clarify the pain mechanisms and gender/ethnic characteristics, as well as comparisons between normal subjects and patients.

Correlation and cluster analysis of sensory, pain, and reflex thresholds to various stimulus modalities in symptom-free subjects

Objective In order to evaluate the possible relation between the psychophysical response and a motor reflex, sensory and pain thresholds to various stimuli were analyzed in combination with the occurrence threshold of the late masseteric exteroceptive suppression (ES2) period. Methods Twenty men and 20 women participated. The tactile detection threshold and the filament-prick pain detection threshold were measured on the cheek skin overlying the left masseter muscles. The pressure pain threshold and pressure pain tolerance threshold were measured at the left masseter muscle. The surface EMG was recorded from the left masseter muscle, while electrical stimuli with 13 fixed intensities were applied to the skin above the left mental nerve. The stimulation intensity at which the ES2 appeared for the first time and the lowest stimulus intensity at which the subjects reported to be painful were defined as the ES2 and pain threshold, respectively. Results There were significant positive correlations between the tactile detection threshold and the pain thresholds determined using the different stimulus modalities, and the ES2 threshold was also significantly correlated with the pain thresholds ( P < 0.05). Cluster analysis could significantly discriminate two distinct groups with high versus low tactile, pain and ES2 thresholds ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The present findings suggested that the ES2 reflex response has a relation with the individual sensory and pain sensitivity in symptom-free subjects. Significance Combined examination of sensory, pain, and ES2 thresholds might provide complementary information on the pathophysiology underlying orofacial pain.

Evidence of vibrotactile input to human auditory cortex

Low frequency vibrations can be detected by both tactile and auditory systems. The aim of the present study is to find out, by means of whole-scalp magnetoencephalography (MEG), whether vibrotactile stimulation alone would activate human auditory cortical areas. We recorded MEG signals from eleven normal-hearing adults to 200-Hz vibrations (on average 19.5 dB above the individual tactile detection threshold), delivered to right-hand fingertips. All subjects reported a perception of a sound when they touched the vibrating tube, and they reported to perceive nothing when not touching the tube. The vibrotactile stimuli elicited clear and reproducible vibrotactile evoked fields (VTEFs) in ten subjects, whereas no MEG responses were observed when the tube was not touched. First responses to the vibrotactile stimuli, peaking around 60 ms, originated in the primary somatosensory cortex in all subjects. They were followed by activations in the auditory cortices, either bilaterally ( N = 5) or unilaterally ( N = 5), and by activations in the secondary somatosensory (SII) cortex, either contralaterally ( N = 3) or ipsilaterally ( N = 4). Both the SII and auditory activations consisted of transient responses at 100–200 ms. Additional auditory sustained activation was identified in nine subjects, either bilaterally ( N = 2) or ipsilaterally ( N = 7), at 200–700 ms. Our results suggest convergence of vibrotactile input to the auditory cortex in normal-hearing adults, in agreement with results previously obtained in a congenitally deaf adult.