ABSTRACT

The sense of embodiment in virtual reality is a strong case of body ownership illusion, effectively allowing humans to experience the ownership of a modified, or a completely different body. Virtual embodiment has captured the attention of researchers in various fields, with applications far beyond computer science. Despite the promising applications, little is known about the neural mechanisms behind full-body virtual embodiment. This study investigates the influence of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the brain area linked to processing of the bodily self (right temporoparietal junction) to the subjective strength of virtual embodiment and its main constituents, using within-subject experimental design with sham-controlled stimulation. Virtual embodiment was studied using questionnaires, accompanied by brain signals gathered using EEG. Our results suggest that stimulation did not affect the sense of ownership toward the virtual avatar. Borderline strengthening of the perceived sense of agency toward the avatar’s actions was found in the sessions with stimulation.

摘要

虚拟现实中的具身感是身体所有权错觉的一个强烈案例，有效地让人类体验到一个修改过的，或者一个完全不同的身体的所有权。虚拟化身已经引起了各个领域研究人员的关注，其应用远远超出了计算机科学。尽管应用前景广阔，但对全身虚拟化身背后的神经机制知之甚少。本研究使用带有假控制刺激的受试者内实验设计，研究了与身体自我（右颞顶交界处）的处理相关的大脑区域的阳极经颅直流电刺激对虚拟化身及其主要成分的主观强度的影响. 使用问卷研究虚拟化身，伴随着使用 EEG 收集的大脑信号。我们的结果表明，刺激不会影响对虚拟化身的归属感。在刺激的会话中发现了对虚拟化身行为的感知代理感的边缘增强。