NCT07349173

Peripersonal Space Representation in Upper Limb Segmental Exclusion

Study of the Representation of Action Peripersonal Space in Participants With Unilateral Segmental Exclusion of the Upper Limb Compared to Asymptomatic Subjects

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Union de Gestion des Etablissements des Caisses d'Assurance Maladie - Nord Est · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the representation of action peripersonal space (PPS) in subjects suffering from unilateral segmental exclusion syndrome of the upper limb compared to healthy control subjects. Segmental exclusion is defined by non-use or under-use of a limb segment without central nervous system damage. The study hypothesizes that this syndrome leads to a modification (shrinkage) of the PPS representation. Participants will perform reachability judgments in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment.

Detailed description

Segmental exclusion syndrome often occurs after limb trauma and manifests as a neglect-like behavior of peripheral origin, sometimes associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The study explores whether the lack of limb use affects the representation of peripersonal space (PPS)-the space immediately surrounding the body where interactions with objects occur. The study is monocentric, observational, with a matched control group. Participants will undergo: Clinical assessment (questionnaires on pain, anxiety, body perception, and kinesiophobia). A Virtual Reality (VR) test (approx. 40 minutes). In VR, participants will judge whether a cylinder presented at different distances and angles is reachable without moving (Perceived Reachable Distance - DMA-p). This will be compared to their Real Reachable Distance (DMA-r). The goal is to measure the error of judgment to assess PPS representation and check for correlations with body schema disturbances or functional impairment

Conditions

• Segmental Exclusion Syndrome
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Upper Limb Neglect (Peripheral)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Reachability Judgment Task in VR.	Participants wear an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. They first perform a motor task to measure Real Reachable Distance (DMA-r). Then, they perform a perceptual task where they must judge, without moving, if a virtual object is reachable (DMA-p). The test evaluates different spatial planes (front, 45° right, 45° left) and heights (shoulder, navel).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-04
• Primary completion: 2027-07-01
• Completion: 2028-01-01
• First posted: 2026-01-16
• Last updated: 2026-03-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: France