Summary: A recent study demonstrates that the plastic side effect may lessen the intensity of heat-related pain. Researchers discovered that participants reported experience less pain when they observed a plastic hand being illuminated while their invisible hand was exposed to a heat stimulus.
This suggests that the ability to incorporate visual and physical cues can affect how people perceive problems. The results may one day lead to the development of novel therapies for chronic pain conditions like complex regional pain symptoms.
Important Information:
- The foam hands illusion reduced perceived warmth pain intensity.
- Multisensory Integration: Red light-seen plastic side altered problems view.
- Results for upcoming problems treatments may influence treatments for chronic pain problems.
Origin: RUB
Under certain circumstances, a man may consider their own hand as part of their own body if they hide it and concentrate on a rubber hand instead. What appears to be a ploy might one day be employed to assist patients who are chronically problems.
Scientists at the LWL University Hospital in Bochum, Germany’s Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy have discovered that the plastic side idea makes pain caused by heat feel less painful.
From April 2025, they published their findings in the journal PAIN Reports.
Steam creates a false impression
When the invisible hands and the foam hand are touched at the same time, such as with a brush, the rubber hand illusion arises. In the experiment described these, the illusion was created by a heat stimulus and continuous red light illumination: ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
In the first stage, the researchers determined each of the 34 right-handed test members ‘ individual pain thresholds for heat problems. The members therefore moved their left over a screen to make it impossible for them to see it.
A thermode nose, a smaller plate that can be heated in controlled conditions, was used to conceal the screen’s hand. A plastic hand was placed in front of the members, which could be illuminated with crimson light from above, as opposed to their left side.
The test members ‘ proper hand was positioned on a slide that they used to constantly measure the painfulness of the steam on their left side.  ,
The researchers conducted a number of test runs where the thermode was heated just below the appropriate problems level, exactly at the appropriate pain threshold, and just after the desired temperature. considerably above it. The plastic side was lit with a red light at the same time.
According to research lead researcher Professor Martin Diers, Head of the Research Section Clinical and Experimental Behavioral Medicine,” the heat signal on the left side and continuous red lighting of the plastic hand evoked the illusion.”
After each series of experiments, a review of the test individuals confirmed these findings. The academics conducted the experiment with a 180-degree rotational foam hands in the power setting.  ,
The pain’s power decreases.
According to Martin Diers,” we demonstrated that the perceived problems intensity decreased in the plastic hands illusion condition as compared to the control condition.”
We accept the idea that the mechanism underlying the plastic hand illusion is the multisensory fusion of visible, tactile, and sensory information. The findings suggest that people’s perception of pain is reduced when they see the plastic palm as part of their personal system.
Another possible explanation for the phenomenon of physical analgesia, which has also been demonstrated in various studies, is that a pain stimulus is perceived as less extreme if the person can see the relevant area of the body at the time when it is occurring.
” We also don’t completely understand the neural basis for this phenomenon,” reaffirms Diers.  ,
The results may be used in the potential to treat pain. For instance, the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome, where patients usually experience hands pain and swelling, is a potential area of usage.
About this information from science and pain research
Author: Meike Driessen
Source: RUB
Contact: Meike Driessen – RUB
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Start access to original analysis
Martin Diers and colleagues ‘” The Rubber Hand Illusion Induced Analgesia has a Time Course..” Studies of Pain
Abstract
The Rubber Hand Illusion Induced Analgesia has a Time Course.
Introduction:
Previous studies on the rubber hand illusion’s ( RHI )’s ) ability to modulate pain had mixed results. However, these reports used distinct impulses to increase both the RHI and the pain. The illusion-inducing signal was also the problems stimulus, which ensured that participants were entirely focused on the illusion-inducing stimulus by using a visual-thermal activation approach.
Objectives:
We used the , visual-thermal , RHI, and the impact of the activation intensity to examine the time course of the modulation of pain induced by ephemeral body ownership over synthetic hands.
Methods:
Participants were given thermal stimulation on their invisible true left hand in a 2 x 4 within-subject design, while the rubber hand simultaneously lit up reddish. Four stimulation intensities were used: moderate pain ( + 0°C ), −0.75°C, + 0.75°C, and + 1.5°C. The plastic hand was twisted 180 degrees for control trials. Participants used a slide knob to provide uninterrupted pain ratings using the right hand.
Results:
In comparison to the command state, the bodiment scores were higher in the RHI. Commencement conditions had lower uninterrupted pain ratings for all temperature levels, with the exception of + 0.75°C. Throughout the majority of the excitement period, smooth side illusion-induced anguish was observed, with exceptions at the very beginning and end.
Conclusion:
Regardless of the heat level used, these findings suggest that the RHI’s visual-thermal induction is constantly linked to higher embodiment ratings. Reduced problems ratings are present throughout the majority of the excitement period, further enhancing the illusion. These findings generally demonstrate the viability of the impact and the viability of our visual-thermal stimulation strategy.
