Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment

Abstract

How is our bodily self-consciousness acquired, and how does it affect cognition? To investigate this, we conducted an experiment using the squeeze machine, a device that provides pressure along the length of the user's whole body. The squeeze machine is used to help autistic people relax. The inventor of the machine, Dr. Temple Grandin says that the squeeze machine, beyond bringing her relaxation, enables her to feel empathy for others. This claim is of considerable interest and raises the following two points; first, the problem of empathy in autism is an important issue and Squeeze Machine could be effective. Second, it suggests that the physical action of Squeeze Machine could provide an insight of mind-body problem to us. Here, we hypothesize that the squeeze machine focuses conscious to direct the bodily self, transforming bodily self-consciousness itself. Such intentionality could bring empathy to others. In this study, we tested whether bodily self-consciousness would be transformed through the squeeze-machine experience. In the first part of the protocol, we simplified the original design of Grandin's squeeze machine but ensured that it retained its relaxing effect. In the second part of the protocol, we adopted a preestablished method of peri-personal space (PPS) measurement to estimate changes in extended bodily space. The results showed that the boundaries of PPS that appeared in the control experiment disappeared during the use of the squeeze machine. Indeed, collected subjective reports suggest that bodily self-consciousness continually drifted between the point of action of the external force (squeeze-machine pressure) and of an internal force (balance among body parts that are usually not consciously controlled), leading to the abandonment of the immobilization of individual PPS.

The Subjective Comfort Test of Autism Hug Machine Portable Seat

“…A larger contact area on the same body part will provide a better deep pressure advantage [15]. It is in line with the second phase study results, where the AHMPS inflatable wrap model provides more significant results in reducing the anxiety of children with ASD when riding the bus, compared to the insignificant manual pull model.…”

“…A parallel pretest/posttest design was conducted on the bus to investigate the effect of both manual pull and inflatable wrap deep pressures. This study examined short-term effect so that we only did once for each participant [15,16,20].…”

“…Hug machines are reported to provide benefits for children who have high anxiety. A further study was conducted by Minoura [15], who also used Grandin's squeeze machine with minor modifications. Minoura added bead-filled cushions in order to allow deep pressure to reach previously unreachable areas then used subjective reports and peri-personal space (PPS) measurements.…”

Effect of Short-Term Deep-Pressure Portable Seat on Behavioral and Biological Stress in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study

“…The inflatable wrap provides pressure in all directions so that it can reach areas of the body that are not in contact with the manual pull. A similar experiment was carried out by Minoura et al, who replaced the foam pads with bead-filled cushions, which can cover a large surface area and provide a better relaxing effect [ 45 ].…”

Squeezed and released self: Using a squeeze machine to degrade the peri-personal space (PPS) boundary.

“…These findings also support the expectation that squeeze machines change the PPS. Previously, we suggested the potential of a squeeze machine to transform neurotypical adults’ BSC by introducing ontology (Minoura, Tani, Ishii, & Gunji, 2019). In the present study, we verified the effect with 30 participants.…”