Effects of Vibrotactile Feedback on Human Learning of Arm Motions

Abstract

Tactile cues generated from lightweight, wearable actuators can help users learn new motions by providing immediate feedback on when and how to correct their movements. We present a vibrotactile motion guidance system that measures arm motions and provides vibration feedback when the user deviates from a desired trajectory. A study was conducted to test the effects of vibrotactile guidance on a subject’s ability to learn arm motions. Twenty-six subjects learned motions of varying difficulty with both visual (V), and visual and vibrotactile (VVT) feedback over the course of four days of training. After four days of rest, subjects returned to perform the motions from memory with no feedback. We found that augmenting visual feedback with vibrotactile feedback helped subjects reduce the root mean square (rms) angle error of their limb significantly while they were learning the motions, particularly for 1DOF motions. Analysis of the retention data showed no significant difference in rms angle errors between feedback conditions.

Conceptual- and production-related predictors of pantomimed tool use deficits in apraxia

“…For example, along with colleagues we have developed a virtual feedback system that incorporates both visual and vibrotactile feedback to improve motor skill learning (Bark et al, 2011, in press; Kapur, Jensen, Buxbaum, Jax, & Kuchenbecker, 2010). The inclusion of vibrotactile feedback may be particularly beneficial for apraxic patients with deficits in intrinsic coordinate control because the feedback is provided within intrinsic coordinates (on the body) rather than in extrinsic, spatial, coordinates.…”

Vibrotactile feedback as a tool to improve motor learning and sports performance: a systematic review

“…All nine 9 studies were published in English and could be designated as clinical study designs with VTFB as (one of) the intervention(s). The majority of the studies involved simple clinical trials [21][22][23][24][25] whereas two studies 26 27 involved a randomised controlled trial. Only one study could be designated as a randomised clinical trial.…”

Toward Personalized Vibrotactile Support When Learning Motor Skills

“…Existing reviews show that vibrotactile devices are an appropriate means of providing immediate feedback for motor learning and augmentation [12]. By providing vibrotactile non-invasive stimulations to the surface of the skin, vibrotactile feedback does not hinder other tasks (e.g., speaking, seeing and hearing) and receives a high level of user's acceptance [15] without the need to shift the visual attention [13].…”

“…This kind of feedback can be classified into [13] (1) tactile stimulations (i.e., electrotactile, thermal and mechanical); (2) kinesthesic (including exoskeleton forced-feedback systems); and (3) vibrotactile (i.e., vibrating components that deliver information through temporal parameters in the signal such as frequency, amplitude, waveform and duration). In fact, vibrotactile feedback is very useful in motor skills training to help learners avoid motion errors as it provides more subtle support [13].…”