Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
Embodied virtual hands intensify kinesthetic illusion and are associated with spontaneous muscle activity: A sEMG
Kenya Tanamachi1, Megumi Okawada1, Wataru Kuwahara1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashi-Ogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
Visually induced kinesthetic illusion (V-KI) enhances peripheral muscle activity, with stronger illusions leading to greater muscle responses. Tactile priming also boosted ownership and illusion intensity, influencing muscle activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Movement Science
- Perception
Background:
- Visually induced kinesthetic illusion (V-KI) influences motor system activity.
- Previous research shows V-KI affects brain activity and spinal pathways.
- The impact of V-KI on peripheral muscles remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if V-KI affects peripheral muscle activity.
- To determine if the strength of virtual body embodiment modulates V-KI's peripheral effects.
- To examine the role of tactile priming in V-KI.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-six healthy participants observed videos of their hand performing wrist movements.
- Spatial alignment was manipulated to alter virtual embodiment.
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded muscle activity.
- Tactile priming was administered before movement observation.
Main Results:
- Tactile priming enhanced ownership ratings and illusion intensity.
- sEMG activity was significantly predicted by illusion intensity.
- A main effect of tactile priming on sEMG was observed.
- Condition-level differences in sEMG were modest.
Conclusions:
- V-KI is associated with peripheral muscle activity.
- The intensity of the kinesthetic illusion is a key factor influencing peripheral muscle responses.
- Tactile priming can modulate V-KI effects on muscle activity.
