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

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, the impact of PD on the lived experience of empathy remains poorly understood. This study explores the embodied dimensions of empathy in PD patients through an experimental phenomenological approach.Method: Forty-five patients with mild to moderate PD were exposed to videos of athletes suffering falls during extreme sports. Following exposure, participants underwent phenomenological interviews to explore their embodied experiences. Data were analyzed through an iterative process involving three independent analyses, triangulation, and the application of advanced analytical techniques (CAQDAS, inter-rater agreement index, interactive dashboards, spider graphs) to enhance the depth of the phenomenological analysis.Results: The findings reveal a continuum of empathic engagement characterized by two experiential structures: “Empathic Bodily Resonance” and “Attenuated Empathic Bodily Resonance.” “Empathic Bodily Resonance” is marked by bodily, emotional, and motivational responses to observed suffering, indicating a high synchrony between internal sensations and perceived pain. This structure includes two substructures: Other-Centered Empathy, where participants show a willingness to help, and Self-Centered Empathy, where participants focus on their own discomfort. Conversely, “Attenuated Empathic Bodily Resonance” demonstrates a diminished or absent connection between bodily resonance and synchronization, primarily driven by visual cues. This structure includes substructures ranging from Empathy with Body Transparency, where emotional responses occur in the absence of bodily sensations, to No Empathy, by a complete absence of bodily resonance.Conclusion: The research uncovers a continuum of empathic experiences in PD patients, spanning from strong bodily and emotional resonance to reduced or absent empathic responsiveness. These findings underscore the critical role of bodily resonance in empathic engagement and suggest that targeted interventions may be essential for enhancing social cognition in PD.Keywords: Empathy for pain, Parkinson's disease, Phenomenology, Experimental phenomenology, Bodily Resonance.