Muscular effort increases hand-blink reflex magnitude

Bufacchi, Rory John; Ponticelli, S.; Novembre, Giacomo; Kilintari, Marina; Guo, Y.; Iannetti, Gian Domenico

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2018.11.046

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Therefore, we asked participants to assume and maintain a neutral position (i.e., arm on a shelf) so that, even in the far position, there is no congruence with the avatar position (i.e., hand on the knee). Furthermore, even though the muscular effort may affect the HBR by increasing its magnitude (Bufacchi et al, ), it is not necessary for the HBR modulation to occur. Indeed, HBR enhancement has been observed even in passive conditions (Bisio et al, ; Fossataro, Gindri, et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The HBR is elicited by the electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist, and it is recorded from the orbicularis oculi by using the electromyography (EMG). The magnitude of the HBR is significantly enhanced when the threatened hand, receiving the electrical stimulation, is close to the participants' eyes, inside the PPS of the face, as compared to a condition when the hand is stimulated far from the face and it is positioned, for instance, on the participants' knee (Bufacchi, ; Bufacchi & Iannetti, ; Bufacchi et al, ; Fossataro, Bruno, Gindri, Bruno, Gindri, & Garbarini, ; Fossataro, Gindri, Gindri, Mezzanato, Pia, & Garbarini, ; Fossataro, Sambo, Sambo, Garbarini, & Iannetti, ; Sambo, Forster, Forster, Williams, & Iannetti, ; Sambo, Liang, Liang, Cruccu, & Iannetti, ). The estimation of the hand position in space may occur through different sensory modalities, such as vision and proprioception.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hand blink reflex in virtual reality: The role of vision and proprioception in modulating defensive responses

Fossataro

Tieri

Grollero

et al. 2019

Eur J of Neuroscience

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Our research focused on the role of vision and proprioception in modulating a defensive reflex (hand blink reflex, HBR) whose magnitude is enhanced when the threatened hand is inside the peripersonal space of the face. We capitalized on virtual reality, which allows dissociating vision and proprioception by presenting a virtual limb in congruent/incongruent positions with respect to the participants' limb. In experiment 1, participants placed their own stimulated hand in far/near positions with respect to their face (postural manipulation task), while observing a virtual empty scenario. Vision was not informative, but the HBR was significantly enhanced in near compared with far position, suggesting that proprioception is sufficient for the HBR modulation to occur. In experiment 2, participants did not perform the postural manipulation but they (passively) observed the avatar's virtual limb performing it. Proprioceptive signals were not informative, but the HBR was significantly enhanced when the observed virtual limb was near to the face, suggesting that visual information plays a role in modulating the HBR. In experiment 3, both participants and avatar performed the postural manipulation, either congruently (both of them far/near) or incongruently (one of them far, the other near). The HBR modulation was present only in congruent conditions. In incongruent conditions, the conflict between vision and proprioception confounded the system, abolishing the difference between far and near positions. Taken together, these findings promote the view that observing a virtual limb modulates the HBR, providing also new evidence on the role of vision and proprioception in modulating this subcortical reflex.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand blink reflex in virtual reality: The role of vision and proprioception in modulating defensive responses

Fossataro

Tieri

Grollero

et al. 2019

Eur J of Neuroscience

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“…Stimulus intensity was adjusted to elicit in each participant clear HBR responses (mean stimulus intensities were 66.24 ± 25.21 mA, range 22-99.9 mA). In 37 subjects the post-stimulus activity was more than two standard deviation higher than the post -stimulus activity, hence they were considered responders (circa 67% of the population) (27). Participants did not report painful sensations elicited by the stimulation.…”

Section: Experimental Setup and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Surrounded, detached”: the relationship between defensive peripersonal space and personality

Biggio,

Escelsior,

Murri

et al. 2023

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionPersonality shapes the cognitive, affective, and behavioral interactions between individuals and the environment. Defensive peripersonal space (DPPS) is the projected interface between the body and the world with a protective function for the body. Previous studies suggest that DPPS displays inter-individual variability that is associated with psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety. However, DPPS may share a link with personality traits.MethodsFifty-five healthy participants were assessed with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5)–Adult to evaluate personality dimensions. Subjects underwent the Hand Blink Reflex (HBR) task that estimates the DPPS limits by assessing the modulation of blink intensity in response to the median nerve stimulation. Data of the HBR was analyzed with Bayesian multilevel models, while the relationship between DPPS and personality traits was explored using network analysis.ResultsHBR was best modeled using a piecewise linear regression model, with two distinct slope parameters for electromyographic data. Network analyzes showed a positive correlation between the proximal slope and detachment personality trait, suggesting that individuals with higher scores in the detachment trait had an increased modulation of HBR, resulting in a larger extension of the DPPS.DiscussionFeatures of the detachment personality trait include avoidance of interpersonal experiences, restricted affectivity, and suspiciousness, which affect interpersonal functioning. We suggest that DPPS may represent a characteristic feature of maladaptive personality traits, thus constitute a biomarker or a target for rehabilitative interventions.

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