NCT05164991

Visuo-Tactile Integration and Body Ownership in the Human Brain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (actual)
• Sponsor: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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").

Detailed 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).

Conditions

• Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms
• Body Representation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Visuo-tactile stimulations of the right hand	Participants lay down in the magnetic resonance (MR) scanner 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). An MR-compatible robot systematically provides the tactile stroking on the participant's hand. MR-compatible goggles show the visual stroking. Patterns of long and short robotic movements will be provided.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-01-10
• Primary completion: 2023-09-01
• Completion: 2023-09-12
• First posted: 2021-12-21
• Last updated: 2023-09-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Switzerland