Effects of Augmented Feedback on Intrinsic Motivation and Walking Speed After Stroke

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To demonstrate the additive effects of augmented feedback, virtual reality (VR), and exergaming on motivation and walking speed performance. <h3>Design</h3> Within-subjects, repeated measures design. <h3>Setting</h3> Spain Rehabilitation Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham. <h3>Participants</h3> Individuals with hemiparesis who are in the chronic phase of recovery from stroke (>6 months) whom are able to follow instructions, and walk independently without needing physical assistance for at least three minutes. <h3>Interventions</h3> Participants will be asked to walk as fast and safely as they can while on a robotic in three conditions: (1) with simple visual augmented feedback without a VR interface, (2) with a basic VR interface and (3) with a VR exergame. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> 30-seconds fast walking speed was measured on a robotic treadmill (KineAssist-MX®). Intrinsic motivation was measured after each walking condition using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). <h3>Results</h3> In this preliminary analysis (n=4 participants; age range: 35-70 years;) participants had baseline fast walking speeds between 0.50-1.48 m/s. The change in walking speeds, with and without performance feedback, were as follows: 0.19-0.49 m/s for augmented feedback, 0.22-0.45 m/s for basic VR, and 0.16-0.42 m/s for VR exergame. IMI-Interest and Enjoyment Subscale scores ranged from: 5.9-6.9 after augmented feedback, 5.4-6.9 after basic VR, and 6.4-6.7 after VR exergame. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This preliminary report suggests that individuals' post-stroke can walk faster when they are provided with performance feedback compared to their fast walking speed without receiving any performance feedback. In terms of intrinsic motivation, no trend was observed across participants nor conditions indicating that intrinsic motivation is about the same level when walking with different types of augmented feedback. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> David Brown declares the following financial interests and personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: He is a named inventor on the intellectual property associated with the KineAssist and does receive a share of royalties for any sales of this robotic treadmill. Saleh Alhirsan and Carmen Capo-Lugo do not have any conflicts of interests to declare.