Embodying an artificial hand increases blood flow to the investigated limb

Background: The autonomic nervous system is the main determinant of blood flow directed towards a body part, and it tightly connected to representation in brain; would experimental modulation sense ownership limb affect its perfusion? Methods: In healthy participants, we employed rubber hand illusion paradigm modulate while monitored brachial artery resistance investigated limb. Results: all conditions with brush-stroking, found an initial drop due tactile stimulation. Subsequently, condition where both real experience synchronous rose significantly faster reached higher values. Moreover, increase correlated embodiment level measured by questionnaires and, negatively, change peripherical vascular resistance. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that modulating part impacts perfusion.