An investigation of contextual factors in the application of multisensory illusions for analgesia in hand osteoarthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Emerging evidence suggests that multisensory illusions can modulate pain and can lead to changes in body perception. The aim of this study was to investigate whether contextual factors could explain the analgesic effects of multisensory body illusions on pain and body perception in people with hand OA (HOA).

Methods

In a crossover study, 28 individuals with painful HOA viewed their most affected hand in and outside of a real-time mediated reality system, with illusory stretching of the hand and changes in sensory input. The outcome measures were pain ratings, pressure pain thresholds, hand function and the subjective experience of the illusion.

Results

Stretching the hand both inside and outside the virtual environment led to a reduction in subjective pain r

SUBMITTER: Themelis K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6649980 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature