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Sequential reaching in older adults: vibrotactile feedback improves preparation and movement control
Saba Mohammadalinezhad Kolahdouz1, Quinn Malone2, Steven R Passmore3
1Perceptual Motor Integration Lab, Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|August 1, 2026
Summary
Brief vibrotactile cues improved older adults' complex movement planning and control. This sensory feedback enhanced sequential reaching performance, especially for tasks requiring bimanual coordination.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Age-related motor decline impacts complex movements, affecting sequencing and bimanual coordination.
- The one-target advantage (OTA) framework assesses motor planning demands in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how task complexity and sensory feedback influence sequential reaching in older adults.
- To determine if auditory or vibrotactile feedback at the first target contact impacts performance.
Main Methods:
- 24 older adults (mean age ~67 years) performed one- and two-target reaching tasks.
- Tasks varied in complexity (extension, reversal, unimanual, bimanual) under no feedback, auditory, or vibrotactile conditions.
- Measured movement preparation, execution, transitions, kinematics, and endpoint accuracy.
Main Results:
- Vibrotactile feedback shortened reaction time in unimanual tasks, reversing the OTA.
- Peak velocity increased and kinematic control improved with vibrotactile feedback during the second movement segment.
- Movement time to the second target increased with complexity and bimanual demands; endpoint accuracy remained stable.
Conclusions:
- Brief vibrotactile cues enhance movement preparation and kinematic control in older adults during sequential reaching.
- Sensory feedback is particularly beneficial for tasks with higher coordination demands.
