Tactile and vestibular mechanisms underlying ownership for body parts: A non-visual variant of the rubber hand illusion

Ownership for body parts depends on multisensory integration of visual, tactile and proprioceptive signals. In a previous study, we demonstrated that vestibular signals also contribute to ownership for body parts, since vestibular stimulation increased illusory ownership for a rubber hand. However, it remained an open question whether the vestibular information acts on the visual or on the tactile input. Here, we used a non-visual variant of the rubber hand illusion, manipulating the synchrony between tactile signals from the participant's left and right hand. The results revealed a strong illusory ownership through self-reports (questionnaires) and proprioceptive drift measures. Interestingly, however, there was no influence of vestibular stimulation on illusory ownership and the proprioceptive drift. The present data suggest that vestibular signals do not interfere with the tactile–proprioceptive mechanisms underlying ownership for body parts when visual feedback from the body surface is absent.

► We used a non-visual variant of the rubber hand illusion.
► Illusory ownership for the rubber hand and proprioceptive drift were evoked.
► Vestibular stimulation did not influence ownership and the proprioceptive drift.
► No vestibular influence when visual feedback from the body surface is absent.