Aim: 

Aim of the study was investigating whether hypnotizability modulates walking direction in blinfolded subjects during alteration of the neck proprioceptive and vestibular information, imagery of sensory alteration and cognitive load, as occurs during normal upright stance (Santarcangelo et al 2008).

Methods: 

Blinfolded Highs (n=38) and Lows (n=40) were asked to walk straight ahead (maximum length 10 meters) with face forward, during head rotation to the left or to the right, backward head extension, imagery of head rotation/extension and mental computation (face forward).

Results: 

The Highs' walking direction was more straight during basal conditions (eyes closed) and less influenced than the Lows'one by mental computation and real/imagined rotation of the head; in these conditions Highs detected deviations from the straight trajectory better than Lows.Vestibular impairment did not induce major differences between the two groups, but learning across consecutive trials occurred only in Highs.

Conclusions: 

The results indicate a lower dependence of Highs on sensory inputs, although this cannot be definitely attributed to a better internal representation of space or to higher behavioural automaticity. Possible hypnotizability-related sensory hierarchies and automaticity in motor control might allow hypnotizability-based models for the costruction of an individual sensorimotor self.