A study on polysomnographic observations and subjective experiences under sensory deprivation
Kazuki Iwata, Mitsuaki Yamamoto, Mitsuyuki Nakao, Masayuki Kimura
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences April 1, 1999 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1819.1999.00517.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Visual images during sensory deprivation were associated with alpha or theta waves and rapid eye movements, distinct from usual wakefulness and sleep. The authors argue that sensory deprivation can disclose different aspects of consciousness. |
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between subjective experiences and polysomnographic observations under sensory deprivation (SD). The results can be divided into two types: (i) visual images were perceived frequently, accompanied by alpha waves or theta waves in electroencephalogram and frequent rapid eye movements (REM); (ii) the subjects fell in deep sleep without perception of visual images. The perceptions of visual images with alpha waves or theta waves and REM are supposed to be different from those in usual wakefulness and sleep. These results suggest that the SD could disclose different aspects of consciousness from the conventionally categorized states such as wakefulness and sleep.