The rubber hand illusion is a bodily illusion where a model hand is experienced as part of the own body. The classical version of this illusion is based on synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation applied to the model in view and the person’s real real hand, which is hidden from view. However it has been also shown that the illusion can be induced by passive or active finger movements, without any tactile stimulation by an external object.
In the present study participants experience active movements, passive movements and visuo-tactile stimulation of a model hand. Although these situations represent different combinations of sensory information, they all create a sense of ownership towards the model hand. This raises the question which of these combinations is most potent in eliciting the illusion. In particular one may ask if the combination of afferent and efferent signals in active movements would result in the same experience as passive visuo-tactile stimulation.
We present data from subjective and objective measures of the illusion and show here that the illusion seems to be similar, regardless if it is induced by synchronized visuo-tactile stroking, active finger movements or passive finger movements. These observations show that different combinations of sensory input can all lead to a very similar phenomenological experience and exemplify again that the illusion can be induced by any combination of multisensory information, and not by a specific combination alone.

multisensory integration; sensorimotor integration; body perception; self-recognition;