Peripersonal Space Representation in Upper Limb Segmental Exclusion

NCT ID: NCT07349173

Last Updated: 2026-01-16

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2026-01-15
• Study Completion Date: 2028-01-31

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the representation of action peripersonal space (PPS) in subjects suffering from unilateral segmental exclusion syndrome of the upper limb compared to healthy control subjects. Segmental exclusion is defined by non-use or under-use of a limb segment without central nervous system damage. The study hypothesizes that this syndrome leads to a modification (shrinkage) of the PPS representation. Participants will perform reachability judgments in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment.

Detailed Description

Segmental exclusion syndrome often occurs after limb trauma and manifests as a neglect-like behavior of peripheral origin, sometimes associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The study explores whether the lack of limb use affects the representation of peripersonal space (PPS)-the space immediately surrounding the body where interactions with objects occur.

The study is monocentric, observational, with a matched control group. Participants will undergo:

Clinical assessment (questionnaires on pain, anxiety, body perception, and kinesiophobia).

A Virtual Reality (VR) test (approx. 40 minutes). In VR, participants will judge whether a cylinder presented at different distances and angles is reachable without moving (Perceived Reachable Distance - DMA-p). This will be compared to their Real Reachable Distance (DMA-r).

The goal is to measure the error of judgment to assess PPS representation and check for correlations with body schema disturbances or functional impairment

Conditions

Segmental Exclusion Syndrome; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS); Upper Limb Neglect (Peripheral)

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Patients with Exclusion

Patients presenting with unilateral segmental exclusion of the upper limb or part of the hand evolving for more than 3 months.

Reachability Judgment Task in VR.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants wear an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. They first perform a motor task to measure Real Reachable Distance (DMA-r). Then, they perform a perceptual task where they must judge, without moving, if a virtual object is reachable (DMA-p). The test evaluates different spatial planes (front, 45° right, 45° left) and heights (shoulder, navel).

Healthy Controls

symptomatic volunteers with no history of upper limb impairment with sequelae.

Reachability Judgment Task in VR.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants wear an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. They first perform a motor task to measure Real Reachable Distance (DMA-r). Then, they perform a perceptual task where they must judge, without moving, if a virtual object is reachable (DMA-p). The test evaluates different spatial planes (front, 45° right, 45° left) and heights (shoulder, navel).

Interventions

Reachability Judgment Task in VR.

Participants wear an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. They first perform a motor task to measure Real Reachable Distance (DMA-r). Then, they perform a perceptual task where they must judge, without moving, if a virtual object is reachable (DMA-p). The test evaluates different spatial planes (front, 45° right, 45° left) and heights (shoulder, navel).

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Presenting unilateral exclusion symptom of the upper limb or part of the hand evolving for > 3 months.
• No contraindication to force work in daily activities.
• For patients with finger exclusion: at least 2 perturbed items related to exclusion on tests 3 and 4 of the "Bilan 400 points".
• Affiliated to a social security scheme.
• Able to understand simple orders.

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• No history of upper limb impairment with sequelae.

Exclusion Criteria

• Visual impairments.
• Central neurological pathology.
• Unstabilized psychiatric pathology.
• Communication or comprehension difficulties.
• Under legal protection or unable to consent.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Cervical pathology contraindicating VR headset use.
• Epilepsy.
• Upper limb pathology unrelated to exclusion.
• Inability to stand for 40 minutes.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Union de Gestion des Etablissements des Caisses d'Assurance Maladie - Nord Est

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Institut Régional de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation (IRR), Centre Louis Pierquin.

Nancy, , France

Countries

France

Central Contacts

Amélie Touillet, MD

Role: CONTACT

amelie.touillet@ugecam.assurance-maladie.fr

+33 3 83 52 98 80

Jonahtan Pierret, PhD

Role: CONTACT

jonathan.pierret@ugecam.assurance-maladie.fr

+33 3 83 52 67 61

Facility Contacts

Jonathan Pierret, PhD

Role: primary

jonathan.pierret@ugecam.assurance-maladie.fr

+33 3 83 52 67 61

Other Identifiers

2025-A02189-40

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

IRR-CLP-2023-3

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id