Somatosensory illusions elicited by sham electromagnetic field exposure: Experimental evidence for a predictive processing account of somatic symptom perception

Abstract

Overview

According to the predictive processing theory, the study investigates how expectations about electromagnetic fields (EMF) influence bodily perceptions and contribute to somatosensory illusions, potentially leading to medically unexplained symptoms.

Methods

• Examination of the effect of sham Wi-Fi on somatosensory illusion using a somatic signal detection task (SSDT).
• Study involved a sample of healthy students (n=83) subjected to a sham Wi-Fi signal in a randomized controlled setup.

Findings

Participants demonstrated a greater tendency to experience somatosensory illusions when expecting a Wi-Fi signal, indicated by a more liberal response bias in the SSDT. However, there was no significant change in somatosensory sensitivity.

Conclusion

Negative expectations about EMF can lead to distorted somatic perception through predictive processing, enhancing the risk for somatic symptom disorders. This emphasizes the importance of addressing misconceptions about the health risks of EMF.