BEHAVIOURAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF BODY SELF-AWARENESS IN MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS

Understanding body self awareness is crucial for unrave ling the complex dynamics between perception, cognition, and self identity. Recent research has demonstrated that extensive limb utilisation could impact an individual’s sense of belonging towards this limb. In this regard, t his pilot study aims to investigate whether musicians, individuals known to possess high sensor y motor specialisation from extensive hours of musical training , exhibit a more robust awareness of their upper limbs, particularly in their hands We used a revisited version of the Mirror Box Illusion paradigm alongside thermal imaging techniques to examine the interplay between musical expertise and body self awareness hypothesising that musicians would demonstrate lower susceptibility to the illusion . These expected outcomes were assessed through behavioural questionnaires and corresponding physiological thermal data. E xpert musicians and non musicians were engaged in synchronous (supposed to induce the and asynchronous (not supposed to induce the illusion) finger tapping conditions on the Mirror Box , guided by an auditory ticking metronome The expert m usicians and non musicians were invited to fill in an embodiment questionnaire after each condition and music related questionnaires. Additionally, p articipant’s hand temperature was collected using a thermal camera at key moments of the experimental sessions Our behavioural findings provided intriguing insights as musicians showed unexpected outcomes from the Mirror Box I llusion paradigm challenging our initial hypothesis . These results lead to a reconsideration of the role of auditory cues in body perception in musicians and their remarkable sensory motor integration