Publication

Congruent Visuo-Tactile Feedback Facilitates the Extension of Peripersonal Space

Olaf Blanke, Hannes Bleuler, Michiel van Elk, Ali Sengül
2018
Conference Papers

Abstract

Effective tool use relies on the integration of multisensory signals related to one's body and the tool. It has been shown that active tool use results in an extension of peripersonal space, i. e., the space directly surrounding the human body. In the present studies we investigated whether the mere observation of a virtual tool that could be manipulated via a haptic robotic interface would also affect the perception of peripersonal space. Participants passively observed a tool being used (Study 1) and received simple visuotactile feedback related to the tool (Study 2). We assessed the extension of peripersonal space by using the crossmodal congruency task, which measures the interference of observed visual distractors presented at the tool on judgments about tactile stimuli presented to the fingers. We found that passive observation of tool use resulted in a crossmodal congruency effect for both crossed and uncrossed arm/tool use postures (Study 1). This effect was even more pronounced when participants were presented with simple visuo-tactile feedback during the observation phase (Study 2). These findings suggest that additional visuotactile feedback enhances the integration of the tools into the body schema. We discuss the relevance of these findings for the development of surgical robotics, virtual tool use and for motor rehabilitation.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/faa1d5aa-9a11-4fdb-8776-22f7fc221657

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Olaf Blanke, Hannes Bleuler, Michiel van Elk, Ali Sengül
2018
Conference Papers

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/faa1d5aa-9a11-4fdb-8776-22f7fc221657

About this result

Related concepts (9)

Multisensory integration

Multisensory integration, also known as multimodal integration, is the study of how information from the different sensory modalities (such as sight, sound, touch, smell, self-motion, and taste) may be integrated by the nervous system. A coherent representation of objects combining modalities enables animals to have meaningful perceptual experiences. Indeed, multisensory integration is central to adaptive behavior because it allows animals to perceive a world of coherent perceptual entities.

Stimulus modality

Stimulus modality, also called sensory modality, is one aspect of a stimulus or what is perceived after a stimulus. For example, the temperature modality is registered after heat or cold stimulate a receptor. Some sensory modalities include: light, sound, temperature, taste, pressure, and smell. The type and location of the sensory receptor activated by the stimulus plays the primary role in coding the sensation. All sensory modalities work together to heighten stimuli sensation when necessary.

Synesthesia

Synesthesia (American English) or synaesthesia (British English) is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People who report a lifelong history of such experiences are known as synesthetes. Awareness of synesthetic perceptions varies from person to person. In one common form of synesthesia, known as grapheme–color synesthesia or color–graphemic synesthesia, letters or numbers are perceived as inherently colored.

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