“Supraspinal vs. Plantar Elicitation Thresholds in a Repeatedly-Tested Female Subject: A Comparative Analysis of Upper- and Lower-Body Tickling Under Full Immobilization”

Authors: Derek, Principal Investigator
Lab: Restricted Sensation Research Unit

Abstract

Specimen Charmie ( height 5'4", mass 54 kg, age verified 25 y ) has undergone > 40 hrs of prior plantar-focused tickle trials. The present study contrasts her psycho-physiological response when identical vectors are applied to novel upper-body loci (axillae, intercostal margins, popliteal fossae) versus her historically sensitized plantar surfaces. Arms were extended 180° overhead, steel-shanked sleeves applied, suspension secured to ceiling joists; lower extremities leather-restrained at ankle, calf, mid-thigh; feet locked in v2 stocks with toe-retraction straps producing 35° sustained dorsiflexion. Manual (single-digit, dual-digit, feather-bundle) and mechanical (automated horizontal rotary brushes, 120 rpm) stimuli were delivered in randomized 90-s blocks. Primary metrics: vocal amplitude ( dB ), respiration rate (breaths/min), sweat conductance ( μS ), and voluntary muscle tremor ( Hz ). Secondary metric: subjective scale ( 0–10 ). Results indicate a statistically significant elevation in response intensity when upper-body sites are stimulated first ( p < 0.01 ), with cross-site sensitization doubling plantar reactivity in subsequent blocks. Machine brushing produced sustained contractions exceeding manual peaks by 32 % ( p < 0.005 ). We conclude that prior conditioning of plantar regions does not attenuate novel upper-body vulnerability; rather, cephalic stimulation potentiates global reflex excitability.

Introduction

While prior literature has documented elevated ticklishness in immobilized subjects, systematic comparison of upper- versus lower-body target zones under identical b*ndage parameters remains sparse. Specimen Charmie offers a unique within-subject control: her feet have been exhaustively mapped, yet axillae, ribs, and popliteal areas remain comparatively unexplored. We hypothesized that v*rgin receptor fields would generate heightened responses relative to conditioned plantar tissue.

Materials & Methods

Apparatus Suspension rail: hemp-core 8 mm rope, 2 kN test v2 stocks: laser-cut birch, Neoprene lining, toe-pull pins at 0 °, 15 °, 35 ° dorsiflexion Rotary brush array: 6 cm bristle disks, torque-limited to 0.3 Nm Procedure
a) baseline silence; subject instructed to remain motionless
b) Randomized stimulation blocks
c) Audio captured via tube mic; biometric telemetry via wireless GSR strap Data Reduction
Peak dB normalized to baseline; tremor frequency extracted via FFT on high-speed 240 fps footage

Results

Upper-body first blocks: mean peak vocalization 87.4 dB ( ± 4.2) versus plantar-first 76.1 dB ( ±3.9 ) Sweat conductance spike latency: axillae 4.8 s, plantar 11.2 s After upper-body priming, subsequent plantar trials exhibited 1.9 x tremor amplitude increase ( p < 0.001 ) Machine brushing elicited continuous 12–14 Hz foot tremor; manual brushing produced intermittent 6–8 Hz bursts

Discussion

The data confirm that v*rgin upper-body territories yield sharper onset curves, but, critically, their activation lowers global threshold, rendering even desensitized feet newly explosive. Observers unanimously ranked “steel-sleeved overhead stretch + toe-tied foot scrub” as maximal elicitation configuration. Prolonged rotary scrubbing ( ≥ 3 min) induced vocal fry and micro-spasms persisting 45 s post-stimulus, suggesting potential long-term potentiation pathways.

Conclusion

For optimized response magnitude in conditioned specimens, initiate with upper-body targeting; transition to mechanized plantar stimulation while the subject remains fully suspended and toe-flexed. Future trials will incorporate diaphragm-accessory vibration to test whether thoracic expansion further amplifies reflex gain.

Compliance Note

All protocols adhered to consensual B*SM framework; safeword “graphite” monitored in real time; aftercare provided (hydration, blanket wrap, 10-min debrief).

B*ndage Tickling Laughing Tickle Therapy - Charmie 2 with C4s.com