Alternative Methods for the Measurement of Human Sexual

Arousal :

The Labial Thermistor ClipThe Labial Thermistor Clip

Kimberley A. Payne1 & Yitzchak M. BinikYitzchak M. Binik1,21,2

1Department of Psychology, McGill University2Sex & Couple Therapy Service, Department of Psychology, McGill University Health Center (Royal Victoria Hospital)

The Labial Thermistor Clip

First developed by Henson, Rubin, Henson, and Williams in 1977

Labial Thermistor Clip

Stimuli

Counter-balanced 10 min erotic and nature films

Results

Erotic film0.76ºC (0.18-1.38ºC) Control film0.34ºC (0.16-0.96ºC)

Henson et al. (1977), erotic stimulus resulted in greater labial temperature change

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Henson &Rubin 1978(N=8)

Compared VBV with LTC

~ 0.70ºC (0.4-1.20ºC)

Henson etal. 1979(N=8)

Compared VBV, VPA, and the LTC.

~ 0.68ºC (0.30-1.00ºC)

Henson et al. 1982(N=5)

Compared VBV with LTC.

Erotic film ~0.75ºC (0.40-1.20ºC)Manual Stimulation ~1.03ºC (0.64-1.84ºC)

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Henson &Rubin 1978(N=8)

Compared VBV with LTC

~ 0.70ºC (0.4-1.20ºC)

Henson etal. 1979(N=8)

Compared VBV, VPA, and the LTC.

~ 0.68ºC (0.30-1.00ºC)

Henson et al. 1982(N=5)

Compared VBV with LTC.

Erotic film ~0.75ºC (0.40-1.20ºC)Manual Stimulation ~1.03ºC (0.64-1.84ºC)

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Henson &Rubin 1978(N=8)

Compared VBV with LTC

~ 0.70ºC (0.4-1.20ºC)

Henson etal. 1979(N=8)

Compared VBV, VPA, and the LTC.

~ 0.68ºC (0.30-1.00ºC)

Henson et al. 1982(N=5)

Compared VBV with LTC.

Erotic film ~0.75ºC (0.40-1.20ºC)Manual Stimulation ~1.03ºC (0.64-1.84ºC)

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Henson &Rubin 1978(N=8)

Compared VBV with LTC

~ 0.70ºC (0.4-1.20ºC)

Henson etal. 1979(N=8)

Compared VBV, VPA, and the LTC.

~ 0.68ºC (0.30-1.00ºC)

Henson et al. 1982(N=5)

Compared VBV with LTC.

Erotic film ~0.75ºC (0.40-1.20ºC)Manual Stimulation ~1.03ºC (0.64-1.84ºC)

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Slob et al. 1990(N=34)

Compared women with Diabeteswith 10 controls.

Diabetic 0.18ºC (+/- 0.04ºC)

Control 0.47ºC (+/- 0.10ºC)

Slob et al., 1991(N=24)

Examinedmenstrual cycle and arousal in women on/off OCs.

OC vs. non-OC users0.88ºC vs. 0.60ºC

follicular vs. luteal0.94ºC vs. 0.51ºC.

Slob et al. 1996(N=20)

Examined menstrual cycle and vibrotactile stim on arousal.

Session 1 - follicular vs. luteal1.51ºC vs. 0.89 ºC

Session 2 - luteal vs. follicular1.85 ºC vs. 0.7 ºC.

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Slob et al. 1990(N=34)

Compared women with Diabeteswith 10 controls.

Diabetic 0.18ºC (+/- 0.04ºC)

Control 0.47ºC (+/- 0.10ºC)

Slob et al., 1991(N=24)

Examinedmenstrual cycle and arousal in women on/off OCs.

OC vs. non-OC users0.88ºC vs. 0.60ºC

follicular vs. luteal0.94ºC vs. 0.51ºC.

Slob et al. 1996(N=20)

Examined menstrual cycle and vibrotactile stim on arousal.

Session 1 - follicular vs. luteal1.51ºC vs. 0.89 ºC

Session 2 - luteal vs. follicular1.85 ºC vs. 0.7 ºC.

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Slob et al. 1990(N=34)

Compared women with Diabeteswith 10 controls.

Diabetic 0.18ºC (+/- 0.04ºC)

Control 0.47ºC (+/- 0.10ºC)

Slob et al., 1991(N=24)

Examinedmenstrual cycle and arousal in women on/off OCs.

OC vs. non-OC users0.88ºC vs. 0.60ºC

follicular vs. luteal0.94ºC vs. 0.51ºC.

Slob et al. 1996(N=20)

Examined menstrual cycle and vibrotactile stim on arousal.

Session 1 - follicular vs. luteal1.51ºC vs. 0.89 ºC

Session 2 - luteal vs. follicular1.85 ºC vs. 0.7 ºC.

Publication Purpose Labial Temperature

Slob et al. 1990(N=34)

Compared women with Diabeteswith 10 controls.

Diabetic 0.18ºC (+/- 0.04ºC)

Control 0.47ºC (+/- 0.10ºC)

Slob et al., 1991(N=24)

Examinedmenstrual cycle and arousal in women on/off OCs.

OC vs. non-OC users0.88ºC vs. 0.60ºC

follicular vs. luteal0.94ºC vs. 0.51ºC.

Slob et al. 1996(N=20)

Examined menstrual cycle and vibrotactile stim on arousal.

Session 1 - follicular vs. luteal1.51ºC vs. 0.89 ºC

Session 2 - luteal vs. follicular1.85 ºC vs. 0.7 ºC.

Potential Advantages over VPA

Known physiological process

Objective units of measurement

Less movement artifact

Simplified data analysis

Less invasive

Better concordance with subjective sexual arousal

Guidelines for Use

1. Equipment

2. Participants

3. Lab Setup

4. Procedural Considerations

5. Research Design

6. Data Analysis

1. Equipment

The thermistor Yellow Springs Instruments www.ysi.com/index.html

YSI 427 Skin, Pediatric

Surface probe with stainless steel disk attached to Teflon-covered flexible wire 4.8 mm (.187 in.) sensor disk diameter (427 & 729)

1. Equipment

The thermistor Yellow Springs Instruments www.ysi.com/index.html

YSI 427 Skin, Pediatric

Surface probe with stainless steel disk attached to Teflon-covered flexible wire 4.8 mm (.187 in.) sensor disk diameter (427 & 729)

1. Equipment

Data Acquisition

http://biopac.com/

MP100

AcqKnowledge Software

2. Participants

Experimenter or participant placed

Participant positioning is crucial!

2. Participants

Experimenter or participant placed

Participant positioning is crucial!

3. Lab Setup

Equipment Room Experiment Room

4. Procedural Considerations

Wait for baseline stability of labial temperature

Monitor room temperature

5. Research Design

Objective units of measurement allow for between-subjects comparisons

Repeated-measures designs are problematicResponse rate of the labial thermistor clip vs. VPAReturn to baseline

Possible solutionsShorter film segmentsUse of a fan between films to cool off the genitals

6. Data Analysis

Conclusions The labial thermistor clip provides a useful

alternative for the measurement of physiological sexual arousal in women.

Unaffected by many of the limitations plaguing VPA

Slower response rate than VPA

Could be used simultaneously with VPA

Could easily be modified for use with men