Rubber hand illusion reduces discomfort caused by cold stimulus

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 8;9(10):e109909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109909. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

There is a growing interest in body-ownership disruptions and their consequences for subjective experiences such as tactile sensations or pain. Here, we investigated the effect of the rubber hand illusion (RHI) on the perceived discomfort caused by cold stimulus applied to the real hand. The results showed reduced discomfort to cold reflected in behavioural and subjective measures. The stronger the illusion, the later the cold temperature became unpleasant and the less intense the experience was rated. We discuss the link between thermoception and body ownership as well as possible theoretical and methodological implications for studies on pain experience under RHI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticipation, Psychological
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Female
  • Hand*
  • Humans
  • Illusions / psychology*
  • Male
  • Pain / psychology
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Rubber
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Touch Perception
  • Visual Perception
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Rubber

Grants and funding

The publication was supported by the National Science Centre, Poland [grant 2012/07/E/HS6/01037] http://www.ncn.gov.pl. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.