Embodying the illusion of a strong, fit back in people with chronic low back pain. A pilot proof-of-concept study

Nishigami, T, Wand, BM, Newport, R, Ratcliffe, N, Themelis, K ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0022-5272, Moen, D, Jones, C, Moseley, GL and Stanton, TR, 2019. Embodying the illusion of a strong, fit back in people with chronic low back pain. A pilot proof-of-concept study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 39, pp. 178-183. ISSN 2468-8630

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Abstract

Objective: This proof-of-concept pilot study aimed to investigate if a visual illusion that altered the size and muscularity of the back could be embodied and alter perception of the back.

Methods: The back visual illusions were created using the MIRAGE multisensory illusion system. Participants watched real-time footage of a modified version of their own back from behind. Participants undertook one experimental condition, in which the image portrayed a muscled, fit-looking back (Strong), and two control conditions (Reshaped and Normal) during a lifting task. Embodiment, back perception as well as pain intensity and beliefs about the back during lifting were assessed.

Results: Two participants with low back pain were recruited for this study: one with altered body perception and negative back beliefs (Participant A) and one with normal perception and beliefs (Participant B). Participant A embodied the Strong condition and pain and fear were less and both perceived strength and confidence were more than for the Normal or the Reshaped condition. Participant B did not embody the Strong condition and reported similar levels of pain, fear strength and confidence across all three conditions.

Discussion: An illusion that makes the back look strong successfully induced embodiment of a visually modified back during a lifting task in a low back pain patient with altered body perception. Both participants tolerated the illusion, there were no adverse effects, and we gained preliminary evidence that the approach may have therapeutic potential.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
Creators:	Nishigami, T., Wand, B.M., Newport, R., Ratcliffe, N., Themelis, K., Moen, D., Jones, C., Moseley, G.L. and Stanton, T.R.
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date:	February 2019
Volume:	39
ISSN:	2468-8630
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.07.002 DOI 1879244 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Jeremy Silvester
Date Added:	27 Mar 2024 09:44
Last Modified:	27 Mar 2024 09:45
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/51168

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