A study of visual biofeedback on fast adaptation of healthy participants to desired step widths

We performed a pilot study that compares the following methods of visual biofeedback: filtering feedback, fading feedback, and multimodal feedback. We evaluate feedback performance by quantifying the transient response and steady state response of the subject to a new target step width. Transient step width behaviour is modelled as a 2nd order system, where we find the time taken for the subject to reach within ±5% of their final step width. Steady-state step width behaviour is evaluated by comparing the achieved step width to the target level and by comparing the amount of step width variability present. Multimodal feedback resulted in step width adherence closest to the target level. However, multimodal feedback resulted in less step width variability compared to normal walking: suggesting perhaps subjects walked in a more constrained manner.