To the best of our knowledge, the *thermal grill illusion* has only been investigated on the skin of the hand and of the forearm. The main objective of the study is to investigate the existence of this phenomenon on the tongue.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
perceptie van temperatuurverschillen
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
•To test the functionality and the applicability of a developed thermal device
for stimulating the human hand and tongue
•To determine whether different simultaneously presented non-injurious cold and
warm temperature combinations (18, 20, 22, 24, 36, 38, 40 and 42°C) usually
known to induce a thermal grill illusion on the hand could also elicit this
sensation on the tongue
•To compare whether the sensation induced by various temperature combinations
on the tongue is similar to the sensation induced when stimulating the hand
under the same conditions
Secondary outcome
A secondary objective is to verify whether the sensation induced on the hand
using the device build by ourselves would lead to the same results as those
observed by Leung et al. (2005) in similar conditions.
Background summary
The so-called *illusion of the thermal grill* is a well known phenomenon
related to a new (*heat/burning*) perception when stimulating the skin by mild
cold and warm, non-injurious alternating bars. This has been demonstrated
several times, but the underlying mechanisms of the *thermal grill* is not
understood nor is there agreement on its exact qualities (*stinging*,
*prickling*, *painful*,*). Understanding this illusion and the conditions under
which this illusion appears provides determining understanding on temperature
and pain perception and on the interaction between the involved sensory
systems.
Study objective
To the best of our knowledge, the *thermal grill illusion* has only been
investigated on the skin of the hand and of the forearm. The main objective of
the study is to investigate the existence of this phenomenon on the tongue.
Study design
There are two measurement days, lasting 1,5 and 2 hours respectively. During
each measurement day, participants will be asked to apply the thermal grill
device for 10 seconds on the hand (6 times) and on the tongue (6 times).
Temperature combinations will semi-randomly vary between applications. After
each applications, participants are asked to rate their perceived temperature
by means of a VAS and also choose relevant qualitative descriptor.
Intervention
For the purpose of this study, a thermal grill device has been manufactured
in-house. The device is composed of eight stainless steel bars (15×3 mm and
placed 1 mm apart on an isolating food-grade silicone support) mounted in such
a way that half of the bars can be controlled independently of the other half,
by a common inflow and outflow. The inflow and the outflow of the two series of
bars are connected via two independent water baths. By appropriately adjusting
the valves and settings of the baths, it is possible to control the temperature
of alternating bars.
Participants will be asked to put the device during 10 seconds on the tip of
their tongue (2 times 6 temperature combinations) and the hand (2 times 6
temperature combinations).
Study burden and risks
No health risks are expected, but participants might report (illusionary)
sensations of pain, prickling and/ or burning.
Olivier van Noortlaan 120
3133 AT Vlaardingen
Nederland
Olivier van Noortlaan 120
3133 AT Vlaardingen
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Age 18-55
Apparently healthy
No reported current or previous psychological or psychiatric conditions
Having a general practitioner
Agrees to adhere to study restrictions and procedures
Willing to sign an informed consent
Non-smoking
Exclusion criteria
For women: being pregnant or lactating
Allergy or intolerance to cling film
Wearing dental braces
Having a tongue piercing
Systematic use of certain medication and/ or painkillers
A history of opiate use
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL24934.081.08 |