Effects of Optical Illusion With a Sensorimotor Training on Somatosensory and Motor Function in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT: Grande-Alonso, M, Cuenca-Martínez, F, Pérez-González, A, Cividanes-García, N, Martín-Tejedor, C, Soriano, M, Vidal-Quevedo, C, Forner-Álvarez, C, and La Touche, R. Effects of optical illusion with a sensorimotor training on somatosensory and motor function in healthy subjects: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 40(3): e233-e240, 2026-The main objective was to assess the effects of an intervention with optical illusion glasses along with sensorimotor training based on cross-learning on somatosensory and motor variables in healthy subjects. This study was a randomized single-blind controlled trial. A total of 38 healthy subjects were randomly distributed into 2 groups: optical illusion group (OIG) and nonoptical illusion group (N-OIG). All subjects underwent 8 intervention sessions based on sensorimotor training on the dominant side. The OIG conducted the training using Prism Glasses branded graphs which acted as a mirror therapy. A pre, middle, and postassessment of tactile sensitivity, manual dexterity, and pain sensitivity was conducted. The OIG showed greater changes in tactile sensitivity of the dominant epicondyle than sensorimotor training alone. In manual dexterity, both groups produced significant improvements at the end of the intervention. Finally, only the OIG resulted in significant local hypoalgesia at the end of the intervention. It seems that using optical illusion glasses, together with a sensorimotor training program, has a greater impact than a sensorimotor training program alone on tactile sensitivity, very complex manual dexterity tasks, and on the improvement of pain sensitivity at least locally. The findings of this article suggest that integrating OI glasses into training regimens may enhance outcomes for athletes or individuals undergoing rehabilitation. Further studies should be conducted with the aim of having a transfer to a clinical population with pain or sensorimotor impairment.