TY  - JOUR
AU  - Ruggirello, Simona
AU  - SANTARCANGELO, ENRICA Laura
AU  - Sebastiani, Laura
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/12/18
TI  - Imagined and Actual Movements with and without Suggestions for anesthesia in Subjects with Different Hypnotizability
JO  - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
SP  - 066
VL  - 04
IS  - 04
AB  - Background: Hypnotizability is a psychophysiological trait associated with several differences  including the level of functional equivalence (FE) between imagery and perception - that is similarity of the cortical activations and network configurations associated with each of them. FE is stronger in  the individuals with high hypnotisability (highs) with respect to low hypnotizable participants (lows). In this frame, the study investigates the EEG correlates of imagined arm/hand movements (MI) and of actual movements performed in the absence (M) and in the presence of suggestions of arm/hand anesthesia (MA) in highs and lows. 
Methods: The EEG alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-25 Hz) absolute power, classically associated with movement preparation and execution were studied in 18 highs and 17 lows classified according to the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, form A. EEG was recorded during M, MI, MA. The subjective reports of imagery and the duration of movements were also studied. 
Results: The movements duration did not differ between highs and lows. Highs reported better imagery during MI, greater perceived influence of the suggestion of anaesthesia during MA, lower cognitive effort than lows for both tasks. In line with earlier studies, spectral analysis did not reveal significant restructuring of the cortical activity during tasks in highs, whereas lows showed cortical changes during MI and MA indicating that they were able to mentally simulate movements and to accept suggestions for anaesthesia during voluntary movement, despite their low hypnotizability scores.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that peculiar psychophysiological characteristics could enable different individuals to respond to suggestions.
SN  - 2573-4393
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.1904066
DO  - 10.21926/obm.icm.1904066
ID  - Ruggirello2019
ER  -