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Pastor A, Bourdin-Kreitz P. Comparing episodic memory outcomes from walking augmented reality and stationary virtual reality encoding experiences. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7580. [PMID: 38555291 PMCID: PMC10981735 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57668-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Episodic Memory (EM) is the neurocognitive capacity to consciously recollect personally experienced events in specific spatio-temporal contexts. Although the relevance of spatial and temporal information is widely acknowledged in the EM literature, it remains unclear whether and how EM performance and organisation is modulated by self-motion, and by motor- and visually- salient environmental features (EFs) of the encoding environment. This study examines whether and how EM is modulated by locomotion and the EFs encountered in a controlled lifelike learning route within a large-scale building. Twenty-eight healthy participants took part in a museum-tour encoding task implemented in walking Augmented Reality (AR) and stationary Virtual Reality (VR) conditions. EM performance and organisation were assessed immediately and 48-hours after trials using a Remember/Familiar recognition paradigm. Results showed a significant positive modulation effect of locomotion on distinctive EM aspects. Findings highlighted a significant performance enhancement effect of stairway-adjacent locations compared to dead-end and mid-route stimuli-presentation locations. The results of this study may serve as design criteria to facilitate neurocognitive rehabilitative interventions of EM. The underlying technological framework developed for this study represents a novel and ecologically sound method for evaluating EM processes in lifelike situations, allowing researchers a naturalistic perspective into the complex nature of EM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Pastor
- XR-Lab, Research-HUB, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication Department, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pierre Bourdin-Kreitz
- XR-Lab, Research-HUB, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
- Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication Department, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Michałko A, Di Stefano N, Campo A, Leman M. Enhancing human-human musical interaction through kinesthetic haptic feedback using wearable exoskeletons: theoretical foundations, validation scenarios, and limitations. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1327992. [PMID: 38515976 PMCID: PMC10954903 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1327992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In this perspective paper, we explore the use of haptic feedback to enhance human-human interaction during musical tasks. We start by providing an overview of the theoretical foundation that underpins our approach, which is rooted in the embodied music cognition framework, and by briefly presenting the concepts of action-perception loop, sensorimotor coupling and entrainment. Thereafter, we focus on the role of haptic information in music playing and we discuss the use of wearable technologies, namely lightweight exoskeletons, for the exchange of haptic information between humans. We present two experimental scenarios in which the effectiveness of this technology for enhancing musical interaction and learning might be validated. Finally, we briefly discuss some of the theoretical and pedagogical implications of the use of technologies for haptic communication in musical contexts, while also addressing the potential barriers to the widespread adoption of exoskeletons in such contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Michałko
- Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, IPEM Institute of Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nicola Di Stefano
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriaan Campo
- Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, IPEM Institute of Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marc Leman
- Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, IPEM Institute of Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Weisberg SM, Ebner NC, Seidler RD. Getting LOST: A conceptual framework for supporting and enhancing spatial navigation in aging. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2024; 15:e1669. [PMID: 37933623 PMCID: PMC10939954 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Spatial navigation is more difficult and effortful for older than younger individuals, a shift which occurs for a variety of neurological, physical, and cognitive reasons associated with aging. Despite a large body of evidence documenting age-related deficits in spatial navigation, comparatively less research addresses how to facilitate more effective navigation behavior for older adults. Since navigation challenges arise for a variety of reasons in old age, a one-size-fits-all solution is unlikely to work. Here, we introduce a framework for the variety of spatial navigation challenges faced in aging, which we call LOST-Location, Orientation, Spatial mapping, and Transit. The LOST framework builds on evidence from the cognitive neuroscience of spatial navigation, which reveals distinct components underpinning human wayfinding. We evaluate research on navigational aids-devices and depictions-which help people find their way around; and we reflect on how navigation aids solve (or fail to solve) specific wayfinding difficulties faced by older adults. In summary, we emphasize a bespoke approach to improving spatial navigation in aging, which focuses on tailoring navigation solutions to specific navigation challenges. Our hope is that by providing precise support to older navigators, navigation opportunities can facilitate independence and exploration, while minimizing the danger of becoming lost. We conclude by delineating critical knowledge gaps in how to improve older adults' spatial navigation capacities that the novel LOST framework could guide to address. This article is categorized under: Psychology > Development and Aging Neuroscience > Cognition Neuroscience > Behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M. Weisberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 1225 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Natalie C. Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 1225 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611
- Institute on Aging, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
- Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610-0274
| | - Rachael D. Seidler
- Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, University of Florida, 1864 Stadium Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611
- Normal Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, 3009 SW Williston Rd. 1864 Stadium Rd., Gainesville, FL 32608
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Negen J, Slater H, Nardini M. Sensory augmentation for a rapid motor task in a multisensory environment. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2023:RNN221279. [PMID: 37302045 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-221279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensory substitution and augmentation systems (SSASy) seek to either replace or enhance existing sensory skills by providing a new route to access information about the world. Tests of such systems have largely been limited to untimed, unisensory tasks. OBJECTIVE To test the use of a SSASy for rapid, ballistic motor actions in a multisensory environment. METHODS Participants played a stripped-down version of air hockey in virtual reality with motion controls (Oculus Touch). They were trained to use a simple SASSy (novel audio cue) for the puck's location. They were tested on ability to strike an oncoming puck with the SASSy, degraded vision, or both. RESULTS Participants coordinated vision and the SSASy to strike the target with their hand more consistently than with the best single cue alone, t(13) = 9.16, p <.001, Cohen's d = 2.448. CONCLUSIONS People can adapt flexibly to using a SSASy in tasks that require tightly timed, precise, and rapid body movements. SSASys can augment and coordinate with existing sensorimotor skills rather than being limited to replacement use cases - in particular, there is potential scope for treating moderate vision loss. These findings point to the potential for augmenting human abilities, not only for static perceptual judgments, but in rapid and demanding perceptual-motor tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Negen
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University
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Schmidt V, König SU, Dilawar R, Sánchez Pacheco T, König P. Improved Spatial Knowledge Acquisition through Sensory Augmentation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050720. [PMID: 37239192 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory augmentation provides novel opportunities to broaden our knowledge of human perception through external sensors that record and transmit information beyond natural perception. To assess whether such augmented senses affect the acquisition of spatial knowledge during navigation, we trained a group of 27 participants for six weeks with an augmented sense for cardinal directions called the feelSpace belt. Then, we recruited a control group that did not receive the augmented sense and the corresponding training. All 53 participants first explored the Westbrook virtual reality environment for two and a half hours spread over five sessions before assessing their spatial knowledge in four immersive virtual reality tasks measuring cardinal, route, and survey knowledge. We found that the belt group acquired significantly more accurate cardinal and survey knowledge, which was measured in pointing accuracy, distance, and rotation estimates. Interestingly, the augmented sense also positively affected route knowledge, although to a lesser degree. Finally, the belt group reported a significant increase in the use of spatial strategies after training, while the groups' ratings were comparable at baseline. The results suggest that six weeks of training with the feelSpace belt led to improved survey and route knowledge acquisition. Moreover, the findings of our study could inform the development of assistive technologies for individuals with visual or navigational impairments, which may lead to enhanced navigation skills and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Schmidt
- Neurobiopsychology Group, Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Sabine U König
- Neurobiopsychology Group, Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Rabia Dilawar
- Neurobiopsychology Group, Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Tracy Sánchez Pacheco
- Neurobiopsychology Group, Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Peter König
- Neurobiopsychology Group, Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Shah VA, Thomas A, Mrotek LA, Casadio M, Scheidt RA. Extended training improves the accuracy and efficiency of goal-directed reaching guided by supplemental kinesthetic vibrotactile feedback. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:479-493. [PMID: 36576510 PMCID: PMC10204582 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06533-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prior studies have shown that the accuracy and efficiency of reaching can be improved using novel sensory interfaces to apply task-specific vibrotactile feedback (VTF) during movement. However, those studies have typically evaluated performance after less than 1 h of training using VTF. Here, we tested the effects of extended training using a specific form of vibrotactile cues-supplemental kinesthetic VTF-on the accuracy and temporal efficiency of goal-directed reaching. Healthy young adults performed planar reaching with VTF encoding of the moving hand's instantaneous position, applied to the non-moving arm. We compared target capture errors and movement times before, during, and after approximately 10 h (20 sessions) of training on the VTF-guided reaching task. Initial performance of VTF-guided reaching showed that people were able to use supplemental VTF to improve reaching accuracy. Performance improvements were retained from one training session to the next. After 20 sessions of training, the accuracy and temporal efficiency of VTF-guided reaching were equivalent to or better than reaches performed with only proprioception. However, hand paths during VTF-guided reaching exhibited a persistent strategy where movements were decomposed into discrete sub-movements along the cardinal axes of the VTF display. We also used a dual-task condition to assess the extent to which performance gains in VTF-guided reaching resist dual-task interference. Dual-tasking capability improved over the 20 sessions, such that the primary VTF-guided reaching and a secondary choice reaction time task were performed with increasing concurrency. Thus, VTF-guided reaching is a learnable skill in young adults, who can achieve levels of accuracy and temporal efficiency equaling or exceeding those observed during movements guided only by proprioception. Future studies are warranted to explore learnability in older adults and patients with proprioceptive deficits, who might benefit from using wearable sensory augmentation technologies to enhance control of arm movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valay A Shah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- DIBRIS, University of Genova, 16145, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Ashiya Thomas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Leigh A Mrotek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Maura Casadio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
- DIBRIS, University of Genova, 16145, Genoa, Italy
| | - Robert A Scheidt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
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Witter M, de Rooij A, van Dartel M, Krahmer E. Bridging a sensory gap between deaf and hearing people–A plea for a situated design approach to sensory augmentation. FRONTIERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcomp.2022.991180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Deaf and hearing people can encounter challenges when communicating with one another in everyday situations. Although problems in verbal communication are often seen as the main cause, such challenges may also result from sensory differences between deaf and hearing people and their impact on individual understandings of the world. That is, challenges arising from a sensory gap. Proposals for innovative communication technologies to address this have been met with criticism by the deaf community. They are mostly designed to enhance deaf people's understanding of the verbal cues that hearing people rely on, but omit many critical sensory signals that deaf people rely on to understand (others in) their environment and to which hearing people are not tuned to. In this perspective paper, sensory augmentation, i.e., technologically extending people's sensory capabilities, is put forward as a way to bridge this sensory gap: (1) by tuning to the signals deaf people rely on more strongly but are commonly missed by hearing people, and vice versa, and (2) by sensory augmentations that enable deaf and hearing people to sense signals that neither person is able to normally sense. Usability and user-acceptance challenges, however, lie ahead of realizing the alleged potential of sensory augmentation for bridging the sensory gap between deaf and hearing people. Addressing these requires a novel approach to how such technologies are designed. We contend this requires a situated design approach.
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8
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Retention Effects of Long-Term Balance Training with Vibrotactile Sensory Augmentation in Healthy Older Adults. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22083014. [PMID: 35459000 PMCID: PMC9027305 DOI: 10.3390/s22083014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Vibrotactile sensory augmentation (SA) decreases postural sway during real-time use; however, limited studies have investigated the long-term effects of training with SA. This study assessed the retention effects of long-term balance training with and without vibrotactile SA among community-dwelling healthy older adults, and explored brain-related changes due to training with SA. Sixteen participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG), and trained in their homes for eight weeks using smart-phone balance trainers. The EG received vibrotactile SA. Balance performance was assessed before, and one week, one month, and six months after training. Functional MRI (fMRI) was recorded before and one week after training for four participants who received vestibular stimulation. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of SOT composite and MiniBESTest scores, and increased vestibular reliance. Only the EG maintained a minimal detectable change of 8 points in SOT scores six months post-training and greater improvements than the CG in MiniBESTest scores one month post-training. The fMRI results revealed a shift from activation in the vestibular cortex pre-training to increased activity in the brainstem and cerebellum post-training. These findings showed that additional balance improvements were maintained for up to six months post-training with vibrotactile SA for community-dwelling healthy older adults.
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Trepkowski C, Marquardt A, Eibich TD, Shikanai Y, Maiero J, Kiyokawa K, Kruijff E, Schoning J, Konig P. Multisensory Proximity and Transition Cues for Improving Target Awareness in Narrow Field of View Augmented Reality Displays. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2022; 28:1342-1362. [PMID: 34591771 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2021.3116673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Augmented reality applications allow users to enrich their real surroundings with additional digital content. However, due to the limited field of view of augmented reality devices, it can sometimes be difficult to become aware of newly emerging information inside or outside the field of view. Typical visual conflicts like clutter and occlusion of augmentations occur and can be further aggravated especially in the context of dense information spaces. In this article, we evaluate how multisensory cue combinations can improve the awareness for moving out-of-view objects in narrow field of view augmented reality displays. We distinguish between proximity and transition cues in either visual, auditory or tactile manner. Proximity cues are intended to enhance spatial awareness of approaching out-of-view objects while transition cues inform the user that the object just entered the field of view. In study 1, user preference was determined for 6 different cue combinations via forced-choice decisions. In study 2, the 3 most preferred modes were then evaluated with respect to performance and awareness measures in a divided attention reaction task. Both studies were conducted under varying noise levels. We show that on average the Visual-Tactile combination leads to 63% and Audio-Tactile to 65% faster reactions to incoming out-of-view augmentations than their Visual-Audio counterpart, indicating a high usefulness of tactile transition cues. We further show a detrimental effect of visual and audio noise on performance when feedback included visual proximity cues. Based on these results, we make recommendations to determine which cue combination is appropriate for which application.
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Sato M, Mikami Y, Tajima F. Acute Occupational Therapy for a Patient with Unilateral Spatial Neglect and Difficulty in Tool Manipulation: A Case Report. Prog Rehabil Med 2022; 7:20220020. [PMID: 35495547 PMCID: PMC9002317 DOI: 10.2490/prm.20220020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Masato Sato
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hashimoto Municipal Hospital, Hashimoto, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Yukio Mikami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Tajima
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
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Impact of a Vibrotactile Belt on Emotionally Challenging Everyday Situations of the Blind. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21217384. [PMID: 34770689 PMCID: PMC8587958 DOI: 10.3390/s21217384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Spatial orientation and navigation depend primarily on vision. Blind people lack this critical source of information. To facilitate wayfinding and to increase the feeling of safety for these people, the "feelSpace belt" was developed. The belt signals magnetic north as a fixed reference frame via vibrotactile stimulation. This study investigates the effect of the belt on typical orientation and navigation tasks and evaluates the emotional impact. Eleven blind subjects wore the belt daily for seven weeks. Before, during and after the study period, they filled in questionnaires to document their experiences. A small sub-group of the subjects took part in behavioural experiments before and after four weeks of training, i.e., a straight-line walking task to evaluate the belt's effect on keeping a straight heading, an angular rotation task to examine effects on egocentric orientation, and a triangle completion navigation task to test the ability to take shortcuts. The belt reduced subjective discomfort and increased confidence during navigation. Additionally, the participants felt safer wearing the belt in various outdoor situations. Furthermore, the behavioural tasks point towards an intuitive comprehension of the belt. Altogether, the blind participants benefited from the vibrotactile belt as an assistive technology in challenging everyday situations.
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Netzer O, Heimler B, Shur A, Behor T, Amedi A. Backward spatial perception can be augmented through a novel visual-to-auditory sensory substitution algorithm. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11944. [PMID: 34099756 PMCID: PMC8184900 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88595-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Can humans extend and augment their natural perceptions during adulthood? Here, we address this fascinating question by investigating the extent to which it is possible to successfully augment visual spatial perception to include the backward spatial field (a region where humans are naturally blind) via other sensory modalities (i.e., audition). We thus developed a sensory-substitution algorithm, the “Topo-Speech” which conveys identity of objects through language, and their exact locations via vocal-sound manipulations, namely two key features of visual spatial perception. Using two different groups of blindfolded sighted participants, we tested the efficacy of this algorithm to successfully convey location of objects in the forward or backward spatial fields following ~ 10 min of training. Results showed that blindfolded sighted adults successfully used the Topo-Speech to locate objects on a 3 × 3 grid either positioned in front of them (forward condition), or behind their back (backward condition). Crucially, performances in the two conditions were entirely comparable. This suggests that novel spatial sensory information conveyed via our existing sensory systems can be successfully encoded to extend/augment human perceptions. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to spatial perception, sensory augmentation and sensory rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophir Netzer
- The Cognitive Science Program, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benedetta Heimler
- The Baruch Ivcher Institute for Brain, Cognition & Technology, The Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzeliya, Israel.,Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation (CATR), Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Amir Shur
- The Cognitive Science Program, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tomer Behor
- The Cognitive Science Program, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Amir Amedi
- The Baruch Ivcher Institute for Brain, Cognition & Technology, The Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzeliya, Israel. .,Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Hofstetter S, Zuiderbaan W, Heimler B, Dumoulin SO, Amedi A. Topographic maps and neural tuning for sensory substitution dimensions learned in adulthood in a congenital blind subject. Neuroimage 2021; 235:118029. [PMID: 33836269 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Topographic maps, a key principle of brain organization, emerge during development. It remains unclear, however, whether topographic maps can represent a new sensory experience learned in adulthood. MaMe, a congenitally blind individual, has been extensively trained in adulthood for perception of a 2D auditory-space (soundscape) where the y- and x-axes are represented by pitch and time, respectively. Using population receptive field mapping we found neural populations tuned topographically to pitch, not only in the auditory cortices but also in the parietal and occipito-temporal cortices. Topographic neural tuning to time was revealed in the parietal and occipito-temporal cortices. Some of these maps were found to represent both axes concurrently, enabling MaMe to represent unique locations in the soundscape space. This case study provides proof of concept for the existence of topographic maps tuned to the newly learned soundscape dimensions. These results suggest that topographic maps can be adapted or recycled in adulthood to represent novel sensory experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Hofstetter
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Meibergdreef 75, Amsterdam, BK 1105 Netherlands.
| | - Wietske Zuiderbaan
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Meibergdreef 75, Amsterdam, BK 1105 Netherlands
| | - Benedetta Heimler
- The Baruch Ivcher Institute for Brain, Mind & Technology, School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, P.O. Box 167, Herzliya 46150, Israel; Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation (CATR), Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Serge O Dumoulin
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Meibergdreef 75, Amsterdam, BK 1105 Netherlands; Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, BT 1181, Netherlands; Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, CS 3584, Netherlands.
| | - Amir Amedi
- The Baruch Ivcher Institute for Brain, Mind & Technology, School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, P.O. Box 167, Herzliya 46150, Israel.
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Wirkungsweise und Anwendung des Biofeedbacks am Beispiel von Kopfschmerzen. PSYCHOTHERAPEUT 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00278-021-00499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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15
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Heimler B, Amedi A. Are critical periods reversible in the adult brain? Insights on cortical specializations based on sensory deprivation studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:494-507. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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16
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König SU, Clay V, Nolte D, Duesberg L, Kuske N, König P. Learning of Spatial Properties of a Large-Scale Virtual City With an Interactive Map. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:240. [PMID: 31354457 PMCID: PMC6636411 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To become acquainted with large-scale environments such as cities people combine direct experience and indirect sources such as maps. To ascertain which type of spatial knowledge is acquired by which source is difficult to evaluate. Using virtual reality enables the possibility to investigate whether knowledge is learned by direct experience or the use of a map differentially. Therefore, we designed a large virtual city, comprised of over 200 houses, and evaluated spatial knowledge acquisition after city exploration with an interactive map following one and three 30-min exploration sessions. We tested subjects' knowledge of the orientation of houses facing directions toward cardinal north, of orientations of houses facing directions relative to each other and pointing from one house to another. Our results revealed that increased familiarity after extended exploration with the map improved task accuracy. Further, it revealed task differences, caused mainly by a better accuracy in the relative orientation task than the pointing task. Time for cognitive reasoning improved overall task accuracy. Learning with our VR city map revealed an absence of distance effect, an alignment effect of tested house orientation toward map north and an angular difference effect between tested stimuli. Self-reported knowledge of cardinal directions learned in the real environment was positively correlated with task accuracy testing houses orientations toward cardinal north. Overall, our results suggest that participants learned spatial information that is directly available in the interactive map, while a spatial task that needed integration of learned knowledge stayed at lower accuracy levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine U. König
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Viviane Clay
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Debora Nolte
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Laura Duesberg
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Nicolas Kuske
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Peter König
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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17
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Bansal A, Weech S, Barnett-Cowan M. Movement-Contingent Time Flow in Virtual Reality Causes Temporal Recalibration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4378. [PMID: 30867525 PMCID: PMC6416345 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40870-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) provides a valuable research tool for studying what occurs when sensorimotor feedback loops are manipulated. Here we measured whether exposure to a novel temporal relationship between action and sensory reaction in VR causes recalibration of time perception. We asked 31 participants to perform time perception tasks where the interval of a moving probe was reproduced using continuous or discrete motor methods. These time perception tasks were completed pre- and post-exposure to dynamic VR content in a block-counterbalanced order. One group of participants experienced a standard VR task ("normal-time"), while another group had their real-world movements coupled to the flow of time in the virtual space ("movement contingent time-flow; MCTF"). We expected this novel action-perception relationship to affect continuous motor time perception performance, but not discrete motor time perception. The results indicated duration-dependent recalibration specific to a motor task involving continuous movement such that the probe intervals were under-estimated by approximately 15% following exposure to VR with the MCTF manipulation. Control tasks in VR and non-VR settings produced similar results to those of the normal-time VR group, confirming the specificity of the MCTF manipulation. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential impact of VR on sensorimotor recalibration. Understanding this process will be valuable for the development and implementation of rehabilitation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambika Bansal
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Séamas Weech
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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18
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Sorgini F, Massari L, D'Abbraccio J, Palermo E, Menciassi A, Petrovic PB, Mazzoni A, Carrozza MC, Newell FN, Oddo CM. Neuromorphic Vibrotactile Stimulation of Fingertips for Encoding Object Stiffness in Telepresence Sensory Substitution and Augmentation Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 18:E261. [PMID: 29342076 PMCID: PMC5795525 DOI: 10.3390/s18010261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
We present a tactile telepresence system for real-time transmission of information about object stiffness to the human fingertips. Experimental tests were performed across two laboratories (Italy and Ireland). In the Italian laboratory, a mechatronic sensing platform indented different rubber samples. Information about rubber stiffness was converted into on-off events using a neuronal spiking model and sent to a vibrotactile glove in the Irish laboratory. Participants discriminated the variation of the stiffness of stimuli according to a two-alternative forced choice protocol. Stiffness discrimination was based on the variation of the temporal pattern of spikes generated during the indentation of the rubber samples. The results suggest that vibrotactile stimulation can effectively simulate surface stiffness when using neuronal spiking models to trigger vibrations in the haptic interface. Specifically, fractional variations of stiffness down to 0.67 were significantly discriminated with the developed neuromorphic haptic interface. This is a performance comparable, though slightly worse, to the threshold obtained in a benchmark experiment evaluating the same set of stimuli naturally with the own hand. Our paper presents a bioinspired method for delivering sensory feedback about object properties to human skin based on contingency-mimetic neuronal models, and can be useful for the design of high performance haptic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sorgini
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, 56025 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Luca Massari
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, 56025 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Jessica D'Abbraccio
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, 56025 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Eduardo Palermo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | - Arianna Menciassi
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, 56025 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Petar B Petrovic
- Production Engineering Department, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia.
- Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia (AISS), 11120 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Alberto Mazzoni
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, 56025 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Fiona N Newell
- School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, 2 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Calogero M Oddo
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, 56025 Pisa, Italy.
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19
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Wahn B, König P. Can Limitations of Visuospatial Attention Be Circumvented? A Review. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1896. [PMID: 29163278 PMCID: PMC5665179 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In daily life, humans are bombarded with visual input. Yet, their attentional capacities for processing this input are severely limited. Several studies have investigated factors that influence these attentional limitations and have identified methods to circumvent them. Here, we provide a review of these findings. We first review studies that have demonstrated limitations of visuospatial attention and investigated physiological correlates of these limitations. We then review studies in multisensory research that have explored whether limitations in visuospatial attention can be circumvented by distributing information processing across several sensory modalities. Finally, we discuss research from the field of joint action that has investigated how limitations of visuospatial attention can be circumvented by distributing task demands across people and providing them with multisensory input. We conclude that limitations of visuospatial attention can be circumvented by distributing attentional processing across sensory modalities when tasks involve spatial as well as object-based attentional processing. However, if only spatial attentional processing is required, limitations of visuospatial attention cannot be circumvented by distributing attentional processing. These findings from multisensory research are applicable to visuospatial tasks that are performed jointly by two individuals. That is, in a joint visuospatial task requiring object-based as well as spatial attentional processing, joint performance is facilitated when task demands are distributed across sensory modalities. Future research could further investigate how applying findings from multisensory research to joint action research may facilitate joint performance. Generally, findings are applicable to real-world scenarios such as aviation or car-driving to circumvent limitations of visuospatial attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil Wahn
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Peter König
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.,Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Weisberg SM, Badgio D, Chatterjee A. Feel the way with a vibrotactile compass: Does a navigational aid aid navigation? J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 2017; 44:667-679. [PMID: 29120193 DOI: 10.1037/xlm0000472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Knowing where north is provides a navigator with invaluable information for learning and recalling a space, particularly in places with limited navigational cues, like complex indoor environments. Although north is effectively used by orienteers, pilots, and military personnel, very little is known about whether nonexpert populations can or will use north to create an accurate representation of an indoor space. In the current study, we taught people 2 nonoverlapping routes through a complex indoor environment, with which they were not familiar-a university hospital with few windows and several turns. Along 1 route, they wore a vibrotactile compass on their arm, which vibrated continuously indicating the direction of north. Along the other route, they were only told where north was at the start of the route. At the beginning, the end, and back at the beginning of each route, participants pointed to well-known landmarks in the surrounding city and campus (external landmarks), and newly learned landmarks in the hospital (internal landmarks). We found improved performance with the compass only for external landmarks, driven by people's use of the availability of north to orient these judgments. No such improved orientation occurred for the internal landmarks. These findings reveal the utility of vibrotactile compasses for learning new indoor spaces. We speculate that such cues help users map new spaces onto familiar spaces or to familiar reference frames. (PsycINFO Database Record
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21
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Are allocentric spatial reference frames compatible with theories of Enactivism? PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 83:498-513. [PMID: 28770385 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-017-0899-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Theories of Enactivism propose an action-oriented approach to understand human cognition. So far, however, empirical evidence supporting these theories has been sparse. Here, we investigate whether spatial navigation based on allocentric reference frames that are independent of the observer's physical body can be understood within an action-oriented approach. Therefore, we performed three experiments testing the knowledge of the absolute orientation of houses and streets towards north, the relative orientation of two houses and two streets, respectively, and the location of houses towards each other in a pointing task. Our results demonstrate that under time pressure, the relative orientation of two houses can be retrieved more accurately than the absolute orientation of single houses. With infinite time for cognitive reasoning, the performance of the task using house stimuli increased greatly for the absolute orientation and surpassed the slightly improved performance in the relative orientation task. In contrast, with streets as stimuli participants performed under time pressure better in the absolute orientation task. Overall, pointing from one house to another house yielded the best performance. This suggests, first, that orientation and location information about houses are primarily coded in house-to-house relations, whereas cardinal information is deduced via cognitive reasoning. Second, orientation information for streets is preferentially coded in absolute orientations. Thus, our results suggest that spatial information about house and street orientation is coded differently and that house orientation and location is primarily learned in an action-oriented way, which is in line with an enactive framework for human cognition.
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22
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Wahn B, König P. Is Attentional Resource Allocation Across Sensory Modalities Task-Dependent? Adv Cogn Psychol 2017; 13:83-96. [PMID: 28450975 PMCID: PMC5405449 DOI: 10.5709/acp-0209-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human information processing is limited by attentional resources. That is, via
attentional mechanisms, humans select a limited amount of sensory input to
process while other sensory input is neglected. In multisensory research, a
matter of ongoing debate is whether there are distinct pools of attentional
resources for each sensory modality or whether attentional resources are shared
across sensory modalities. Recent studies have suggested that attentional
resource allocation across sensory modalities is in part task-dependent. That
is, the recruitment of attentional resources across the sensory modalities
depends on whether processing involves object-based attention
(e.g., the discrimination of stimulus attributes) or spatial
attention (e.g., the localization of stimuli). In the present
paper, we review findings in multisensory research related to this view. For the
visual and auditory sensory modalities, findings suggest that distinct resources
are recruited when humans perform object-based attention tasks, whereas for the
visual and tactile sensory modalities, partially shared resources are recruited.
If object-based attention tasks are time-critical, shared resources are
recruited across the sensory modalities. When humans perform an object-based
attention task in combination with a spatial attention task, partly shared
resources are recruited across the sensory modalities as well. Conversely, for
spatial attention tasks, attentional processing does consistently involve shared
attentional resources for the sensory modalities. Generally, findings suggest
that the attentional system flexibly allocates attentional resources depending
on task demands. We propose that such flexibility reflects a large-scale
optimization strategy that minimizes the brain’s costly resource expenditures
and simultaneously maximizes capability to process currently relevant
information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil Wahn
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück,
Germany
| | - Peter König
- Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie,
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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23
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Schumann F, O'Regan JK. Sensory augmentation: integration of an auditory compass signal into human perception of space. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42197. [PMID: 28195187 PMCID: PMC5307328 DOI: 10.1038/srep42197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-mimetic approaches to restoring sensory function show great promise in that they rapidly produce perceptual experience, but have the disadvantage of being invasive. In contrast, sensory substitution approaches are non-invasive, but may lead to cognitive rather than perceptual experience. Here we introduce a new non-invasive approach that leads to fast and truly perceptual experience like bio-mimetic techniques. Instead of building on existing circuits at the neural level as done in bio-mimetics, we piggy-back on sensorimotor contingencies at the stimulus level. We convey head orientation to geomagnetic North, a reliable spatial relation not normally sensed by humans, by mimicking sensorimotor contingencies of distal sounds via head-related transfer functions. We demonstrate rapid and long-lasting integration into the perception of self-rotation. Short training with amplified or reduced rotation gain in the magnetic signal can expand or compress the perceived extent of vestibular self-rotation, even with the magnetic signal absent in the test. We argue that it is the reliability of the magnetic signal that allows vestibular spatial recalibration, and the coding scheme mimicking sensorimotor contingencies of distal sounds that permits fast integration. Hence we propose that contingency-mimetic feedback has great potential for creating sensory augmentation devices that achieve fast and genuinely perceptual experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Schumann
- Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception - CNRS UMR 8242, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - J Kevin O'Regan
- Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception - CNRS UMR 8242, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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