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Medically unexplained symptom reports are associated with a decreased response to the rubber hand illusion

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 15:13 authored by Eleanor MilesEleanor Miles, Ellen Poliakoff, Richard J Brown
Objective Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) have been hypothesized to result from a distortion in perception, whereby top-down factors influence the process of body representation. Perceptual illusions provide a novel method of investigating this hypothesis. This study aimed to investigate whether self-reported unexplained symptoms are associated with altered experience of the rubber hand illusion (RHI). Methods A non-clinical MUS group with high scores on the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ), and a control group with low scores on this scale, were exposed to the RHI. Illusion experience was measured by self-reports and by proprioceptive alteration. Results After controlling for somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety, the low-SDQ group responded significantly more strongly to the RHI on both questionnaire and proprioceptive measures of the illusion. In contrast, the high-SDQ group scored significantly higher on the Perceptual Aberrations Scale, a measure of bodily distortions in daily life. Conclusion These findings support the proposed link between MUS and disturbances in body representation, and suggest that a decreased reliance on current sensory inputs may contribute to symptom experience in susceptible individuals.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

ISSN

0022-3999

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

4

Volume

71

Page range

240-244

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-06-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2013-06-11

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