Removing own-limb visual feedback using mixed reality to simulate arm amputations

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between the visual feedback of one's own limb and the own-body perception. Several studies have shown the importance of visual mirror feedback in remitting pain and restoring the sense of body ownership in some phantom limb pain patients. Using mixed reality, own limb visual feedback is removed and body perception and thermal sensitivity is probed in order to investigate the importance of visual feedback in a group of intact participants. The present results show a proprioceptive drift in a proximal direction and significant changes to body perception. The results advocate for the importance of visual feedback and that the manipulation of this modality alone can affect our body perception.