Sensorial Comfort

Abstract

This study explores the feasibility of using psychophysical methods to assess one component of sensorial comfort—moisture sensation in clothing. We used the psy chophysical method of constant stimuli to assess the absolute and differenoe thresholds of moisture sensation in the upper back area of twelve female volunteers. Wetted fabric swatches applied to the skin served as the stimuli. The psychometric functions demonstrating the relationship between moisture and moisture sensation for these determinations exhibited linear trends similar to those found in other areas of sensory testing using psychophysical methods. We anticipate that this study will provide the first step in a programmatic research effort using psychophysical methods to assess the contribution of moisture sensation as well as other sensorial comfort factors to judgments of clothing comfort.