3-Dimensional Vibrotactile Feedback Training Promotes Positive User Experience and Improvement in Reach-to-Grasp...

Approximately half of stroke survivors experience a decrease in upper extremity motor control related to decreased proprioceptive abilities. This study continues efforts to use sensory augmentation to address proprioceptive deficits experienced post-stroke. Previous studies using 1- and 2-dimensional supplemental vibrotactile feedback have successfully improved the accuracy of reaching movements performed without concurrent vision. This proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the extent to which multi-session training with 3-dimensional vibrotactile feedback might lead to post-training kinematic improvements compared to proprioception-only for healthy young adults. After training, results showed an increase in movement accuracy with a concomitant decrease in movement speed. Participants reported positive satisfaction with vibrotactile feedback and intrinsic motivation to use the device, with acceptable scores for device usability. This study is a promising step towards developing an assistive device for real-world reach-to-grasp tasks for those with sensorimotor deficits.