The Relationship Between Embodiment Perception and Motor Learning in Virtual Reality-based Interventions

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly evolving technology that offers immersive experiences by simulating realistic environments and interactions. In the context of motor learning and rehabilitation, VR has emerged as a promising tool because of its ability to provide controlled, customizable and engaging training scenarios. A key factor in the effectiveness of VR-based interventions is the sense of embodiment, which refers to the user's perception of being present in the virtual environment and having control over a virtual body. This thesis investigates the influence of different sensory feedback modalities on the sense of embodiment and task performance in VR-based motor learning. Through two studies, we examine how the combination of visual and tactile feedback affects embodiment perception and motor task performance in VR environment. In the first study, we explore the effects of pressure feedback on task performance and embodiment in VR-based mirror therapy. Twenty-two able-bodied participants were divided into two groups, with one group receiving the pressure feedback on their thumb and index fingertips during a pick-and-place task. The results indicate that the group with haptic feedback achieved a 15.07% higher task success rate and reported a 12.80% higher embodiment perception compared to the control group. The second study extends the investigation to the impact of vibrotactile feedback in a ball-and-beam control task. Nineteen participants were exposed to four conditions: No Feedback, Vibrotactile Feedback only, Visual Feedback Only and Both Vibrotactile and Visual Feedback. The condition with Both Vibrotactile and Visual Feedback had a 14.52% improvement in task performance and a higher embodiment perception compared to other conditions. Overall, this thesis contributes to the understanding of how sensory feedback modalities can be effectively integrated into VR systems to enhance embodiment and motor learning, suggesting that incorporating haptic feedback into a visual interaction may be associated with higher embodiment and improved motor task performance. These insights have implications for the design of more effective VR-based interventions for training and rehabilitation purposes, emphasizing the value of multisensory feedback in these contexts.