Unveiling the Embodied Continuum of Empathy for Pain in Parkinson's Disease: Discoveries from An Experimental Phenomenological Method

• DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/wpd5x
• Publication Date: 2024-09-26T17:02:36Z
• Authors: Antonia Zepeda; Alejandro Troncoso; Daniela pizarro; Constanza Baquedano; Silvia Barria; Rodrigo Gomez; Kevin Blanco Mada...; David Martínez Pe...
• Keywords: Phenomenological model

Abstract Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that not only affects motor function but also impairs empathy, particularly in response to others' pain. While the neurobiological changes underlying these deficits are known, impact of PD on lived experience empathy remains poorly understood. This study explores embodied dimensions patients through an experimental phenomenological approach.Method: Forty-five with mild moderate were exposed videos athletes suffering falls during extreme sports. Following exposure, participants underwent interviews explore their experiences. Data analyzed iterative process involving three independent analyses, triangulation, and application advanced analytical techniques (CAQDAS, inter-rater agreement index, interactive dashboards, spider graphs) enhance depth analysis.Results: The findings reveal continuum empathic engagement characterized by two experiential structures: “Empathic Bodily Resonance” “Attenuated Empathic Resonance.” marked bodily, emotional, motivational responses observed suffering, indicating high synchrony between internal sensations perceived structure includes substructures: Other-Centered Empathy, where show willingness help, Self-Centered focus own discomfort. Conversely, demonstrates diminished or absent connection bodily resonance synchronization, primarily driven visual cues. substructures ranging from Empathy Body Transparency, emotional occur absence sensations, No complete resonance.Conclusion: research uncovers experiences patients, spanning strong reduced responsiveness. These underscore critical role suggest targeted interventions may be essential for enhancing social cognition PD.Keywords: pain, disease, Phenomenology, Experimental phenomenology, Resonance.