Extending Touch in Virtual Reality with Non-Invasive Neurostimulation

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Every morning, your brain orchestrates a seamless dance of vision, movement and touch as you take the first sip from your coffee cup. From spotting the cup on the counter to perfectly adjusting your grip to prevent it from slipping, this incredible process of sensorimotor integration is what turns everyday actions into effortless routines.

Millions of people in the US live with neurological disorders that cause deficits to their sensorimotor integration, leading to difficulties completing even the smallest everyday actions. Something as simple as squeezing toothpaste on a toothbrush becomes a daily struggle. VR-based neurorehabilitation with haptic feedback has the potential to help people regain lost sensorimotor function.

In this study, we investigate how touch feedback via transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation affects sensorimotor integration in VR environments. We study the brain mechanisms related to object grasp perception and cognitive workload and assess differences in motor task performance and sense of presence in VR. This work will contribute to the development of portable and accessible rehabilitative practices that may optimize motor recovery while restoring the “sensory” in sensorimotor integration.

Goal of this Study:

The purpose of this study is to deepen our understanding of the use of neurostimulation to provide effective sensory feedback to individuals in mixed reality (XR) environments (virtual and/or augmented reality). This study evaluates neurostimulation technology that sends electrical signals through the nerves to produce sensations of touch with the objective:

• To understand how the brain processes these sensations; and
• To determine how these sensations can assist during virtual reality tasks.

Who is eligible to participate?

• Adults 18 years of age or older with fully functional upper and lower limbs or upper-limb transradial, or lower-limb transtibial amputation (unilateral or bilateral)

What is involved?

If you participate, you will attend up to five lab visits at I3R, each lasting less than three hours and scheduled at your convenience. During these visits, you will:

• Have cables placed on your skin using stickers (without any skin puncture) to either send electrical signals to your nerves or measure your muscle activity, or both.
• Describe any sensations you experience using your own words or a questionnaire when signals are sent.
• Control a physical or virtual robotic arm when muscle signals are measured. Perform simple tasks with your hands or feet, such as turning a knob, moving blocks, or walking on a treadmill. These tasks may be done using virtual/augmented reality headsets or under conditions (e.g., blindfolded) that rely primarily on touch.
• Wear a fabric cap with sensors that safely measure your brain’s blood flow and electrical activity.

Where will the study take place?

The experimental sessions will be performed at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville at the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R), 793 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville, AR 72701

Is there Compensation for Participating?

For each study session at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, subjects will be compensated $40 in cash.

You will not be responsible for any costs to participate in this study. Parking will be covered if needed. Transportation (i.e., miles, tolls) may be also covered for out-of-town travel to the research site.

What are my incentives?

We do not anticipate that you will gain any personal health benefits from participating in this study. As a benefit to society, you will contribute to the general knowledge and understanding about multisensory mapping with transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation approaches.