A preliminary investigation into psychophysiological effects of threatening a perceptually embodied rubber hand in healthy human participants.

Background And Aims: Threatening a perceptually embodied rubber hand with noxious stimuli has been shown to generate levels of anxiety similar to that experienced when a real hand is threatened. The aim of this study was to investigate skin conductance response, self-reported anxiety and the incidence, type and location of sensations when a perceptually embodied rubber hand was exposed to threatening and non-threatening stimuli.

Methods: A repeated measures cross-over design was used whereby 20 participants (≥18 years, 14 females) received a threatening (syringe needle) and non-threatening (soft brush) stimulus to a perceptually embodied rubber hand.