Open AccessRelationship between the changes in blood flow and volume in the finger during a Braille character discrimination task
Author(s) -
Murata J.,
Murata S.,
Soma M.,
Nakae H.,
Sato Y.,
Kogo H.,
Umeki N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12363
Subject(s) - braille , reading (process) , blank , tactile perception , audiology , index finger , perception , blood flow , blood pressure , psychology , medicine , computer science , anatomy , cardiology , neuroscience , materials science , political science , law , composite material , operating system
Purpose We hypothesized that skin blood flow ( SBF ) of fingers are modulated during concentrated finger perception and that the changes in SBF reflect fluctuations in finger volume ( FV ). The aim of this study, therefore, was examine the relationship between the changes in SBF and FV during Braille reading. Methods We measured SBF of the finger, cutaneous vascular conductance ( CVC ), FV , and arterial blood pressure during Braille reading performed under blind conditions in thirty healthy subjects. The subjects were instructed to read a flat plate with raised letters (Braille reading) for 15 seconds using their forefinger, and to touch a blank plate as a control for the Braille discrimination procedure. Results Arterial blood pressure slightly increased during Braille reading but remained unchanged during the touching of the blank plate. SBF , CVC , and FV were reduced during Braille reading (decreased by −26%, −29%, and −0.3 mL/100 mL respectively). Furthermore, a significant relationship was observed between the changes in SBF and FV ( r =.613) during Braille reading. Conclusion These results suggested that SBF of fingers is modulated during concentrated finger perception, and that the variability of blood flow reflects the response in FV .