Pathologic pain distorts visuospatial perception.

Sumitani, M; Shibata, M; Iwakura, T; Matsuda, Y; Sakaue, G; Inoue, T; Mashimo, T; Miyauchi, S · Neurology · 2007

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Spatial perception is achieved by integrating multisensory information. Using visual subjective body midline (vSM) judgments in patients with unilateral limb pain (complex regional pain syndrome [CRPS]), we found that their vSM deviated toward the affected side; however, deafferentation of the affected limb caused a transient pain decrease and a transient shift of the vSM deviation toward the unaffected side. Our results indicate that the persistent pain state in CRPS distorts visuospatial perception.

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