Multisensory stimulation decreases phantom limb distortions and is optimally integrated
Abstract
The multisensory integration of signals from different senses is crucial to develop an unambiguous percept of the environment and our body. Losing a limb causes drastic changes in the body, sometimes causing pain and distorted phantom limb perception. Despite the debate over why these phenomena arise, some researchers suggested that they might be linked to an impairment of multisensory signals inflow and integration. Therefore, reestablishing optimally integrated sensory feedback could be crucial. The related benefits on sensory performance and body self-representation are still to be demonstrated, particularly in lower-limb amputees. We present a multisensory framework combining Virtual reality and electro-cutaneous stimulation that allows the optimal integration of visuo-tactile stimuli in lower-limb amputees even if nonspatially matching. We also showed that this multisensory stimulation allowed faster sensory processing, higher embodiment, and reductions in phantom limb distortions. Our findings support the development of multisensory rehabilitation approaches, restoring a correct body representation. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000541738Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
iScienceVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Cell PressOrganisational unit
09632 - Raspopovic, Stanisa (ehemalig) / Raspopovic, Stanisa (former)
Funding
759998 - Restoring natural feelings from missing or damaged peripheral nervous system by model-driven neuroprosthesis (EC)
197271 - Multimodal targeted neurotechnology for gait improvement and neuropathic pain suppression in diabetic neuropathy (MOVEIT) (SNF)
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