# Effect of Spatial and Temporal Prediction on Tactile Sensitivity

## TL;DR

This study shows that knowing when a touch is coming improves sensitivity, but knowing where it will occur does not.

## Contribution

The study reveals that temporal prediction, especially with a short warning, enhances tactile sensitivity more than spatial prediction.

## Key findings

- Spatial prediction does not influence tactile sensitivity.
- Temporal prediction with a 1 s warning cue improves tactile sensitivity more than no warning.
- Temporal prediction's effect decreases as the warning cue is further from the stimulus.

## Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether spatial or temporal prediction of the tactile stimulus contributes to tactile sensitivity. To investigate the effect of spatial prediction on tactile sensitivity, electrical stimuli were provided for the digit nerve in one of five fingers, and advanced notice of the stimulating finger was provided before the stimulus in some trials but not in others. There was no significant effect of spatial prediction on the intensity at the perceptual threshold of the digit nerve stimulus. This indicates that spatial prediction of the tactile stimulus does not influence tactile sensitivity. To examine the effect of temporal prediction, an auditory warning cue was provided 0, 1, or 10 s before the electrical stimulus to the digit nerve. The stimulus intensity at the perceptual threshold in the trials with the 1 s warning cue was lower than those with the 0 s warning cue. This indicates that temporal prediction enhances tactile sensitivity. The stimulus intensity at the perceptual threshold in the trials with the 1 s warning cue was lower than those with the 10 s warning cue. This means that the contribution of temporal prediction to the tactile sensitivity is greater as the warning cue is closer to the time of the stimulus. This finding may be explained by a defense mechanism activated when humans predict that a tactile stimulus is coming soon.