Sounding better: Fast audio cues increase walk speed in treadmill-mediated virtual rehabilitation environments

Wendy Powell*, Brett Stevens, Steve Hand, Maureen Simmonds

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Music or sound effects are often used to enhance Virtual Environments, but it is not known how this audio may influence gait speed. This study investigated the influence of audio cue tempo on treadmill walking with and without visual flow. The walking speeds of 11 individuals were recorded during exposure to a range of audio cue rates. There was a significant effect of audio tempo without visual flow, with a 16% increase in walk speed with faster audio cue tempos. Audio with visual flow resulted in a smaller but still significant increase in walking speed (8%). The results suggest that the inclusion of faster rate audio cues may be of benefit in improving walk speed in virtual rehabilitation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine 2010 - Advanced Technologies in Behavioral, Social and Neurosciences
PublisherIOS Press
Pages202-207
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781607505600
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameStudies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume154
ISSN (Print)0926-9630
ISSN (Electronic)1879-8365

Keywords

  • audio cues
  • gait speed
  • treadmill walking
  • Virtual reality

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