Spatial limits on referred touch to an alien limb may reflect boundaries of visuo-tactile peripersonal space surrounding the hand.
In this study, the spatial limits of referred touch to a rubber hand were investigated. Participants rated the strength of the perceived illusion when the rubber hand was placed in one of six different spatial positions (at a distance of 17.5-67.5cm horizontal from the participant's own hand). The results revealed a significant nonlinear relationship in the strength of the illusion, with the strongest ratings given when the two hands were closest; decaying significantly after a distance of 30cm. The time taken to elicit the illusion followed a similar trend. These results may reflect the response properties of bimodal visuo-tactile cells encoding peripersonal space around the hand.
Lloyd
Donna M
DM
School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Zochonis Building, Brunswick Street, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. Donna.Lloyd@manchester.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions; D008297:Male; D010550:Personal Space; D011434:Proprioception; D014110:Touch; D014796:Visual Perception