The effects of the kinesthetic illusion produced by visual stimulus on production of voluntary movement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of the kinesthetic illusion produced by visual stimulus on production of voluntary movement. Nine healthy male subjects participated in this study. To produce the kinesthetic illusion, we used video footage consisted of own wrist joint movement of palmar flexion and dorsal flexion. The subjects completed the three experimental conditions: illusion condition, observation condition and rest condition. In the illusion condition, the kinesthetic illusion was produced during watching the movie, which was projected on a display that was set over right forearm. In the observation condition, the subjects observed the computer display, which was set at away from their own hand. As eff ects of kinesthetic illusion on a production of voluntary movement, reaction time in response to Go/No go task was measured employing calculated EMG onset in the right FCR muscle. The result of the present study showed that reaction time was significantly delayed only in the illusion condition. Although there was no evidence that indicates physiological mechanism of involvement of voluntary movement in the present study, the effect of the kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulus on production of voluntary movement was clearly indicated.