Arthrokinetic information affects linear self-motion perception

Abstract

A sensation of linear self-motion can be induced in a blindfolded stationary sitting subject, who keeps contact with a linearly moving platform (acceleration 0.1 m/s2) in the frontoparallel plane by means of a hand-over-hand walking action. When discordant suprathreshold vestibular information from the otoliths is added by moving the subject laterally (acceleration 0.1 m/s2) in the same direction as the platform (acceleration of the platform 0.2 m/s2, so the arthrokinetic stimulus is also an acceleration of 0.1 m/s2, but into the opposite direction), the arthrokinetic information was found to have a predominant effect on the perceived direction of self-motion.