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COMBINATION OF VIRTUAL REALITY AND TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION TO INVESTIGATE CONSCIOUSNESS AND BODY OWNERSHIP
A technological system to explore aspects related to whole bodily-self consciousness thanks to a Full-Body Illusion (FBI), induced with the combination of Virtual Reality (VR) and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Keywords: Virtual Reality, TENS, Body Ownership, CONSCIOUSNESS, Embodiment
Background
We know we are conscious because we know “what it is like” to see an image, feel an emotion, hear a sound and think a thought inside our own body1. This phenomenon is referred to as embodiment, and it can be understood as the representation of an element (bodily or not) within the body schema2. The influence of multisensory sensory integration (e.g., touch, vision, proprioception) is fundamental to give rise to this sense of embodiment3. Thanks to the experimental manipulation of multisensory integration, researchers have shown that it is possible to induce the illusion of embodiment over external body parts, tools or virtual bodies4–6. Different studies have also assessed the effect of these manipulations in different clinical populations7–10. In particular, the nature of stroke and the consenquent motor and sensory impairments provide an interesting framework to study the embodiment constructs2. Recent studies have investigated the illusion of single external limbs embodiment in stroke patients, showing alterations in the body schema compared to healthy individuals. Our group is developing a technological system to explore aspects related to whole bodily-self consciousness thanks to a Full-Body Illusion (FBI), induced with the combination of Virtual Reality (VR) and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). By manipulating visual and tactile inputs, using adaptive algorithms highly controlled thanks to the TENS technology, we will adopt a multiparametric measurement approach to achieve a precise combination of subjective and objective outcomes. The project aims at developing a system both to measure the alterations in bodily self-consciousness in individuals and to provide a rehabilitation tool for these impairments.
Background We know we are conscious because we know “what it is like” to see an image, feel an emotion, hear a sound and think a thought inside our own body1. This phenomenon is referred to as embodiment, and it can be understood as the representation of an element (bodily or not) within the body schema2. The influence of multisensory sensory integration (e.g., touch, vision, proprioception) is fundamental to give rise to this sense of embodiment3. Thanks to the experimental manipulation of multisensory integration, researchers have shown that it is possible to induce the illusion of embodiment over external body parts, tools or virtual bodies4–6. Different studies have also assessed the effect of these manipulations in different clinical populations7–10. In particular, the nature of stroke and the consenquent motor and sensory impairments provide an interesting framework to study the embodiment constructs2. Recent studies have investigated the illusion of single external limbs embodiment in stroke patients, showing alterations in the body schema compared to healthy individuals. Our group is developing a technological system to explore aspects related to whole bodily-self consciousness thanks to a Full-Body Illusion (FBI), induced with the combination of Virtual Reality (VR) and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). By manipulating visual and tactile inputs, using adaptive algorithms highly controlled thanks to the TENS technology, we will adopt a multiparametric measurement approach to achieve a precise combination of subjective and objective outcomes. The project aims at developing a system both to measure the alterations in bodily self-consciousness in individuals and to provide a rehabilitation tool for these impairments.
Project description
The VR environment and measurements set-up are currently still basic. In this project, the following steps will have to be implemented:
1. Programming of the VR scenario and stimuli to be highly realistic and engaging
2. Programming of the synchronized visual (VR) and tactile (TENS) stimulation to induce the FBI
3. Development of the adaptive algorithms for the TENS unit
4. Testing of the system
5. Data analysis
Project description The VR environment and measurements set-up are currently still basic. In this project, the following steps will have to be implemented: 1. Programming of the VR scenario and stimuli to be highly realistic and engaging 2. Programming of the synchronized visual (VR) and tactile (TENS) stimulation to induce the FBI 3. Development of the adaptive algorithms for the TENS unit 4. Testing of the system 5. Data analysis
Dr. Stanisa Raspopovic, Assistant Professor
Greta Preatoni, PhD student
Neuroengineering laboratory, ETH Zurich
Emails: stanisa.raspopovic@hest.ethz.ch
gretapreatoni1@gmail.com
Dr. Stanisa Raspopovic, Assistant Professor Greta Preatoni, PhD student Neuroengineering laboratory, ETH Zurich Emails: stanisa.raspopovic@hest.ethz.ch gretapreatoni1@gmail.com