Mapping the influence of spatiotemporal distribution of skin contact temperature on perceived thermal sensation in human fingers

• Published in: Journal of thermal biology Vol. 129; p. 104108
• Main Authors: Sudhakaran, Jinu, Kim, Jung Kyung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Bioheat transfer; direct contact; Female; females; Fingers - physiology; Gender differences; Hot Temperature; human physiology; Humans; Male; males; pain; Pain perception; physiological response; Skin; Skin contact temperature; Skin Temperature; Spatiotemporal temperature distribution; temperature; Thermal sensation; Thermosensing; viscoelasticity; Visualization; Young Adult; Visualization; Pain perception; Thermal sensation; Spatiotemporal temperature distribution; Bioheat transfer; Gender differences; Skin contact temperature
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2025.104108
• ISSN: 0306-4565

The temperature distribution upon direct skin contact with a hot solid surface plays a critical role in the resulting human physiological response as it influences both thermal sensation and pain perception. This study aims to advance understanding regarding the skin contact temperature (TSC) and its spatial distribution on the skin surface upon direct contact with a hot solid surface maintained at a fixed temperature (TH) ranging from 50 to 70 °C, using an innovative visualization technique under controlled thermal conditions with human subjects. Results highlight significant gender-based differences in changes in the spatial summation of TSC, with male subjects exhibit an average of 4.2 °C higher than that of female subjects at elevated TH levels, while females adapt faster, resulting in longer pain onset times. Additionally, this study explores the effects of skin properties, specifically skin thickness and skin viscoelasticity, on changes in the spatial summation temperature (delta TSC,S) and thermal sensitivity; the findings demonstrate limited influence at moderate TH, with marginal effects at higher TH. These insights have significant implications for the design and development of safer prosthetics, thermal devices, and haptic technologies. By establishing guidelines such as maintaining the delta TSC,S value below 10 °C to mitigate pain onset, this research provides critical parameters for creating systems that accurately mimic human physiological responses to thermal input. Future studies should explore these thermal psychophysical responses across diverse populations and dynamic conditions to broaden the applicability of the insights gained by the present work. •Investigated gender differences in spatial summation of skin contact temperature (TSC,S).•Analyzed skin thickness and viscoelasticity effects on thermal sensitivity and TSC,S.•Females adapted faster with longer pain onset times compared to males.•Suggested maintaining delta TSC,S below 10 °C to delay pain onset.•Provided insights for designing safer thermal devices, prosthetics, and haptics.