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An investigation of contextual factors in the application of multisensory illusions for analgesia in hand osteoarthritis
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:13 authored by Kristy Themelis, Roger NewportObjective: 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 osteoarthritis (HOA). Methods: In a cross-over study, 28 individuals with painful HOA viewed their most affected hand in and outside of a MIRAGE-mediated reality system, with illusory stretching of the hand and changes in sensory input. The outcome measures were: pain ratings, pressure pain thresholds (PPT), 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 ratings (all P <.05). Virtual stretching led to changes in body perception (P <.05) with no changes in PPT (all P >.05). Higher pain at baseline predicted susceptibility to the stretch-illusion and mean susceptibility ratings were greatest after the stretch-illusion. Conclusion: The current study highlights the importance of the context in which pain occurs and in which potential treatments may be applied. In this case, virtual and physical stretching modulating pain, but not viewing the hand alone. The research opens important implications for future research including the use of contextual control conditions and the development of visual feedback interventions for a range of similarly visible chronic conditions for which pain, body image disturbances and body dissatisfaction may be apparent. Keywords: Analgesia, body ownership, chronic pain, MIRAGE, multisensory illusions, osteoarthritis, contextual control, body representation disturbance.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Rheumatology Advances In PracticeISSN
2514-1775Publisher
Oxford University PressExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
234Page range
1289-1294Department affiliated with
- BSMS Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-07-20First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-10-26First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-07-20Usage metrics
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