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. 2019 Dec 31;10(1):21.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci10010021.

Audiohaptic Feedback Enhances Motor Performance in a Low-Fidelity Simulated Drilling Task

Brianna L Grant  1 , Paul C Yielder  1 , Tracey A Patrick  1 , Bill Kapralos  2 , Michael Williams-Bell  3 , Bernadette A Murphy  1
Affiliations

Audiohaptic Feedback Enhances Motor Performance in a Low-Fidelity Simulated Drilling Task

Brianna L Grant et al. Brain Sci. .

Abstract

When used in educational settings, simulations utilizing virtual reality (VR) technologies can reduce training costs while providing a safe and effective learning environment. Tasks can be easily modified to maximize learning objectives of different levels of trainees (e.g., novice, intermediate, expert), and can be repeated for the development of psychomotor skills. VR offers a multisensory experience, providing visual, auditory, and haptic sensations with varying levels of fidelity. While simulating visual and auditory stimuli is relatively easy and cost-effective, similar representations of haptic sensation still require further development. Evidence suggests that mixing high- and low-fidelity realistic sensations (e.g., audition and haptic) can improve the overall perception of realism, however, whether this also leads to improved performance has not been examined. The current study examined whether audiohaptic stimuli presented in a virtual drilling task can lead to improved motor performance and subjective realism, compared to auditory stimuli alone. Right-handed participants (n = 16) completed 100 drilling trials of each stimulus type. Performance measures indicated that participants overshot the target during auditory trials, and undershot the target during audiohaptic trials. Undershooting is thought to be indicative of improved performance, optimizing both time and energy requirements.

Keywords: audiohaptic; body representation; motor control; multisensory perception; simulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stimulus conditions presented in each trial type (audiohaptic or auditory alone).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scenes in the drilling simulation. (a) Side view visible only during familiarization trials. (b) Front view shown throughout experimental trials. (c) Subjective rating scale presented after each trial.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean and standard deviation (error bars) of participants’ drilling behavior for each trial type.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean and standard deviation (error bars) of performance errors in both trial types. Statistical results are noted as *** p < 0.001.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean and standard deviations (error bars) of perceived realness ratings in both trial types. Statistical results are noted as *** p < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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