Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Body awareness (BA) and proprioception, which are essential components of the sense of agency (SA), are often altered in various mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the relationship between BA, proprioception, and SA, as well as the methods to manipulate them, remain unclear. This study explored using real-time gesture sonification (GS), i.e., wearable technology transforming body movements into sounds, to enhance proprioception, BA, and thus the SA. Methods: In this within-subjects design, 17 healthy adults (mean age = 25.5 years) with varying dance expertise (novice, amateur, expert) improvised movements to match sounds with and without auditory feedback from motion sensors on wrists/ankles modulated by their gestures. BA, immersion, pleasure, and self-efficacy were measured. Results: < 0.05). Conclusion: GS can enhance BA and the SA, pleasure, and control during physical activity. This highlights potential mental health applications, such as agency-based therapies for PTSD. Manipulating bodily perception could improve symptoms and embodiment. Further research should replicate this in clinical populations and explore neurocognitive mechanisms.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Institutions: MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, École de management de Lyon, Université Paris Cité, Learning Planet Institute, University of Lisbon, University College London, The Open University, Hokkaido University, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Avicenne, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris
Language: English
Topic: Free Will and Agency
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4407344171