Posturography Approaches: An Insightful Window to Explore the Role of the Brain in Socio-Affective Processes

Abstract

A significant amount of research has highlighted the importance of a motor component in the brain’s processing of emotional, motivational and social information. Posturography has emerged as an interesting way to assess motor correlates associated with this process. In this review, we highlight recent results within the functional context of painful stimulus perception and discuss the interest in broadening the use of posturography to other motivational and societal functional contexts. Although characterized by significant feasibility, the single measurement of the COP’s anteroposterior displacement presents limitations for attesting approach–avoidance behavior towards a visual target. Here, we discuss a number of methodological avenues that could go some way towards overcoming these limitations.

Keywords

• stabilometry
• socio-affective neurosciences
• socio-emotional
• embodiment
• posture
• motor correlates