NCT01618578

The Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) in Patients With CRPS

Comparable Induction of the Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS 1) and Healthy Subjects

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 69 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ruhr University of Bochum · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The present study investigates by means of the rubber hand illusion body image stability and sense of body ownership in patients with CRPS of the upper limb compared to patients with unilateral pain of origin other than CRPS and age and sex-matched healthy subjects.

Detailed description

In patients with CRPS of the upper limb distortions of body representation and impairments of sense of body ownership are well-known. To investigate the body schema and body image stability of these patients in comparison to patients with upper limb pain of origin other than CRPS and healthy subjects, we conducted a series of rubber hand illusions. This well - established paradigm is elicited by visuo-tactile stimulation of one´s own real hand and a visible hand and forearm prosthesis. The present study investigates 1) if and how far patients with CRPS are susceptible to experience the illusion 2) how far the illusion strength differs between CRPS and patients with unilateral pain of the upper limb of other origin and healthy subjects 3) how far parameters, e.g. neglect-like severity symptoms, body plasticity, empathy, duration of disease and pain intensity influence the illusion strength.

Conditions

• CRPS
• Unilateral Limb Pain of Origin Other Than CRPS

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	rubber hand illusion	There were three consecutive trials of the RHI: 1. one control trial: asynchronous condition (3 Min.) 2. two experimental trials (conducted on both hands):synchronous condition (3 Min.),additionally watching the prosthesis being threatened (20 sec.)

Timeline

• Start date: 2010-05-01
• Primary completion: 2011-11-01
• Completion: 2011-11-01
• First posted: 2012-06-13
• Last updated: 2012-06-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany