Mapping Haptic-Induced Zonal Brain Activation – An fNIRS Study

Abstract

This study investigates whether uncomfortable footwear increases neural activation in the primary somatosensory cortex by measuring brain hemodynamic activity via fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy). Participants first walked on a treadmill for 5 minutes wearing their regular shoes, then repeated the trial after inserting provided uncomfortable shoe padding, while oxygenated hemoglobin levels, a key indicator of neural activity, were monitored. Trial averages were analyzed to compare OxyHb changes, and 3-D models were used to help visualize real-time hemodynamic differences. The results aimed to confirm that painful stimuli from uncomfortable footwear trigger heightened cortical activity.

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