The Haptic Bracelets: Learning Multi-Limb Rhythm Skills from Haptic Stimuli While Reading

Abstract

The Haptic Bracelets are a system designed to help people learn multi-limbed rhythms (which involve multiple simultaneous rhythmic patterns) while they carry out other tasks. The Haptic Bracelets consist of vibrotactiles attached to each wrist and ankle, together with a computer system to control them. In this chapter, we report on an early empirical test of the capabilities of this system, and consider design implications. In the pre-test phase, participants were asked to play a series of multi-limb rhythms on a drum kit, guided by audio recordings. Participants' performances in this phase provided a base reference for later comparisons. During the following passive learning phase, away from the drum kit, just two rhythms from the set were silently 'played' to each subject via vibrotactiles attached to wrists and ankles, while participants carried out a 30-minute reading comprehension test. Different pairs of rhythms were chosen for different subjects to control for effects of rhythm complexity. In each case, the two rhythms were looped and alternated every few minutes. In the final phase, subjects were asked to play again at the drum kit the complete set of rhythms from the pre-test, including, of course, the two rhythms to which they had been passively exposed. Pending analysis of quantitative data focusing on accuracy, timing, number of attempts and number of errors, in this chapter we present preliminary findings based on participants' subjective evaluations. Most participants thought that the technology helped them to understand rhythms and to play rhythms better, and preferred haptic to audio to find out which limb to play when. Most participants indicated that they would prefer using a combination of haptics and audio for learning rhythms to either modality on its own. Replies to open questions were analysed to identify design issues, and implications for design improvements were considered. 7

A blended user centred design study for wearable haptic gait rehabilitation following hemiparetic stroke

“…For example, P4, stated: "The beat is, it's something to listen to". These terminological habits have been noted elsewhere in speech about felt, rather than heard haptic, cues [9].…”

“…When designing for rhythmic sensory cueing in general, whether by auditory, visual or haptic means, the theory of sensory motor entrainment [9] [10] [16] provides the most appropriate framework for understanding and analysis.…”

“…It also raises the question of whether there is potential to use different spatial placement to manipulate attention and proprioception in particular cases for enhanced therapeutic benefit. These issues may also be complicated by the phenomenon of haptic masking: when a limb is subject to impacts, it makes it harder to detect simultaneous touches [9].…”

“…touch-based) cueing, sensing and communication [7], [8]. The Haptic Bracelets (discussed in detail below) were originally developed to support the development of musical skills in learning multi-limbed rhythms [9], [10]. They were subsequently adapted for gait rehabilitation using haptic cues, drawing on the literature and the successful use of rhythmic sensory cueing for gait rehabilitation using audio and visual cues [11] [12] [13] [14] [15].…”

Rhythmic Haptic Cueing for Entrainment: Assisting Post-stroke Gait Rehabilitation

“…touch-based) cues through a technology known as the Haptic Bracelets. The Haptic Bracelets (discussed in detail below) were originally developed (and still are used) to support the development of musical skills in learning multi-limbed rhythms (Holland et al 2010, Bouwer et al 2013). They were subsequently adapted for gait rehabilitation using haptic cues, drawing on the established use of rhythmic audio and visual cues for gait rehabilitation using entrainment, as outlined below.…”