Visuo-Tactile Integration and Body Ownership in the Human Brain

Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich

Status: Completed

Conditions: Body Representation; Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms

Treatments: Behavioral: Visuo-tactile stimulations of the right hand

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05164991

2021-0111

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present project exploits brain imaging and neuroscience robotics to investigate the role of quantifiable visual input on the relationship between visuo-tactile integration and body ownership (the feeling that "this" body belongs to "me").

Full description

Observational study, fundamental research, multicentric, national. The analysis of questionnaires, self-reports, and brain imaging associated with the RHI is used to understand the influence of visual input on body ownership. To this aim, participants lay down in the magnetic resonance (MR) scanner (Figure 1B), are presented with visual stimuli (videos of the virtual rubber hand - visual stroking) simultaneously in real time with tactile stimuli (robotic stroking of the participant's hand - tactile stroking), and in combination or not with the measurement of autonomic arousal (GSR) associated with the observation of a video showing the virtual rubber hand in a threatening situation (e.g. a knife approaching the virtual hand - unconscious RHI effects). By means of structured questionnaires and semi-structured self-reports, participants (i) evaluate eventual sensations felt during the visuo-tactile stimulation and (ii) report the personal feelings and impressions about body ownership for the virtual rubber hand (conscious RHI effects).

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• general health
• personal interest
• age between 18 and 55 years old
• fulfil standard guidelines for fMRI studies

Exclusion criteria

• history of seizures, epilepsy
• specific medications or treatment
• concomitant diseases (e.g. cardiopathy)
• pregnancy
• unexplained loss of consciousness
• chronic headaches
• neurological illnesses
• head concussion,
• presence of metal in the neck or head
• implanted medical devices
• drug abuse
• inability to give consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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45 participants in 1 patient group

MR imaging

Experimental group

Description:

The experiment is aimed to induce a virtual rubber hand illusion, in which the individuals can potentially experience an embodiment illusion

Treatment:

Behavioral: Visuo-tactile stimulations of the right hand