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

Wendy Powell, Brett Stevens, Steve Hand, M. Simmonds

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

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    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
    EditorsB. Wiederhold, G. Riva, S. Kim
    Place of PublicationAmsterdam
    PublisherIOS Press
    Pages202-207
    Number of pages6
    Edition154
    ISBN (Print)9781607505600
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

    Publication series

    NameStudies in health technology and informatics
    PublisherIOS Press
    Number154

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