Abstract
Sensory feedback (SF), including auditory (A) and vibrotactile (VT) stimulation, presents innovative opportunities for enhancing motor control. This study examined the impact of augmented SF and effects of aging on movement performance using the One Target Advantage (OTA) paradigm, which posits that Movement Time (MT) to a single target is shorter than when followed by a second target.
11 older adults(60-78 years) and 12 younger adults(19-35 years) performed a reaching task. They completed 6 blocks of 20 trials (one-target (OT) and two-target (TT) tasks), under 3 sensory conditions: no feedback (NF), (A), and (VT). Movements were tracked with a 3D optical motion capture system at 300Hz. Data were analyzed using a mixed ANOVA (2 Groups x 2 Target Task x 3 Sensory Condition).
Results showed a significant interaction (Target task by Sensory condition) for Reaction time (F2,44=4.10, P<0.023, η;p²=.157), with shorter RTs in the TT task under VT feedback. Main effects of Sensory condition on MT1(F2,44=5.26, p<.009, η;p²=.193) and MT2 F2,42=5.74, p<.006, η;p²=.215) indicated faster MTs with VT feedback. Additionally, time after peak velocity in the second movement was significantly reduced in the VT condition(F2,42=9.01, p<0.001, η;p²=0.300), suggesting improved efficiency.
VT feedback led to faster movements for both younger and older adults without reducing accuracy, suggesting it can enhance daily tasks. For older adults, these enhancements may help maintain independence. Future research could integrate SF into everyday tools for various age groups.
