Intermittent thermal fusion

Conducted a study of intermittent thermal stimulation with 4 male 17-29 yr olds to test the effect of input factors analogous to those that have proven significant in varying critical flicker fusion thresholds for vision. Amount of area stimulated, intensity level, and pulse-to-cycle fraction were tested separately, while other factors were held constant. stimulation was applied to the 2 body areas of the upper back and the volar forearm. Results of variation of thermal stimulation, termed thermal flicker fusion (TFF), show general correspondence to the functions produced by varying similar parameters in the visual modality. Current TFF results are compared with previous fusion studies in the thermal and other modalities, and a theoretical explanation is suggested. (French summary) (26 ref)