Lower limb peripersonal space and the desire to amputate a leg

Psychol Res. 2021 Apr;85(3):1221-1233. doi: 10.1007/s00426-020-01316-1. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Abstract

Body integrity identity disorder (BIID) is a rare condition defined by a persistent desire to amputate or paralyze a healthy limb (usually one or both of the legs). This desire arises from experiencing a mismatch between the internal body model and the actual physical/functional boundaries of the body. People with BIID show an abnormal physiological response to stimuli approaching the affected (unwanted) but not the unaffected leg, which might suggest a retracted peripersonal space (PPS: a multisensory integration zone near the body) around the unwanted limb. Thus, using a visuo-tactile interaction task, we examined leg PPS in a group of healthy men and three men with BIID who desired unilateral leg amputation. PPS size (~ 70 cm) around the unwanted BIID legs did not differ from that of healthy controls. Although the leg feels foreign in BIID, it still seems to maintain a PPS, presumably to protect it and facilitate interactions within the surrounding environment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amputation, Surgical / psychology*
  • Body Integrity Identity Disorder / psychology*
  • Healthy Volunteers / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Leg / surgery*
  • Lower Extremity / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Preference / psychology*
  • Personal Space
  • Touch / physiology*