Visuo-motor and interoceptive influences on peripersonal space representation following spinal cord injury

Scientific Reports, 2020 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62080-1 · Published: March 2, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study explores how the brain represents the space around our bodies (peripersonal space or PPS) after a spinal cord injury (SCI). PPS representation is modulated by information coming from the body. The researchers used virtual reality to trick the senses of SCI patients, making them think their legs were moving when they weren't, and vice versa. They measured how this affected the patients' sense of the space around their feet. The study found that even when people with SCI couldn't feel their legs moving, if their brains got the message that they *were* moving, their sense of the space around their feet improved.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

70 participants: 19 with complete paraplegia, 23 with incomplete paraplegia, and 28 healthy controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
In paraplegics, motor feedback is crucial for restoring PPS representation, regardless of whether it aligns with visual feedback.
2
Visuo-motor incongruence inhibits PPS representation in healthy controls.
3
Greater interoceptive sensitivity in individuals with incomplete lesions correlates with better PPS representation during visuo-motor incongruence.

Research Summary

The study investigates the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on peripersonal space (PPS) representation, focusing on the roles of visual and motor feedback, and interoception. Using virtual reality, the researchers found that motor feedback is necessary for PPS recovery in paraplegics, even when it conflicts with visual feedback, while visuo-motor incongruence inhibits PPS in healthy controls. The findings highlight the importance of residual motor feedback and its integration with bodily information for maintaining space representation after SCI.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Passive motion exercises may help restore spatial awareness in SCI patients.

Virtual Reality Design

VR therapies should consider the importance of congruent sensory feedback for healthy individuals.

Interoceptive Training

Enhancing interoceptive awareness might improve spatial representation in SCI patients with incomplete lesions.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not directly assess attentional processes related to response mapping competition.
2
The experiment was not designed to modulate SCL or RSA responses.
3
The recovery of space representation did not last until the Follow-Up assessment.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury