触覚刺激がイメージの鮮明性と体験様式におよぼす影響 <研究論文>

Imagery is a well-known phenomenon. The power of imagery is also used therapeutically in clinical settings. Tactile is unique among the five senses, because unlike the other senses, we cannot experience tactile sensations until an object touches out body. Therefore, the relationship between imagery and tactile stimulation was investigated using three measures of imagery: (a) vividness of imagery experiences, (b) manner of imagery experiences, and (c) pulse weaves to measure changes in physiological indices during the imagery session. Water was used as the tactile stimulation. In the experimental condition, participants (N = 12) maintained an image while experiencing tactile stimulation, by imagining a beach while soaking their hands with water. In the control condition, participants (N = 12) imagined a beach without soaking their hands. The results indicated that when imagining while experiencing tactile stimulation, participants had more vivid images in comparison to imagining without tactile stimulation.Moreover, participants' pulse waves were higheer when they imagined, in comparison to a rest period. These results that tactile stimulation affects the vividness of imagery.