Influence of Virtual Reality Cognitive Fidelity on Biomechanical Adaptation and Motor Strategies with a Custom Prosthesis and Foot Controller.

Authors

Marek R. Kwasek, California State University, NorthridgeFollow

Abstract

In an age of digitization, rehabilitation is embracing newer technologies, particularly VR, to enhance motor development and learning skills with real-world applications. With its practical replicability, VR’s visual (i.e., how visually realistic a virtual environment is) and cognitive fidelity (i.e., how well a virtual environment mimics the cognitive demands of real-world tasks) has the potential to influence motor strategies and, ultimately, a person’s functional biomechanics when learning a new skill. PURPOSE: To examine how different levels of visual and cognitive fidelity impact users’ reaching biomechanics when controlling a prosthetic arm using a foot controller. METHODS: Participants completed 12 sessions over an 8-week period. The first and last sessions were conducted in a real-world environment using a prosthetic limb and foot controller, to formulate a baseline and assess retention, respectively. The 10 sessions in between involved VR training. Participants were randomly assigned to a low or high cognitive fidelity group (LC/HC). Inertial measurement units were placed on participants arm and trunk, and used to measure shoulder and elbow joint angles as well as reaching kinematics (e.g. linear jerk). RESULTS: Preliminary findings demonstrated a shift towards elbow dominant movements with an increase in elbow extension over shoulder flexion during the retention test relative to baseline. Additionally, participants displayed a decrease in overall joint range of motion (ROM) while sustaining an increased ROM of the elbow relative to the shoulder. However, an increased overall ROM was observed in a participant in the LC group. Also, a significant increase in horizontal jerk was observed across all participants, most notably in the LC condition. CONCLUSION: VR training compelled the participants to modify their reaching strategies by increasing elbow extension, reducing the reliance on shoulder flexion and reducing overall joint ROM. However, the individual variations and more erratic movements observed in the LC group could suggest that cognitive fidelity in VR may play a critical role in motor patterns and skill transfer, along with how learning strategies are created and prosthetic controls transferred into real-world functions.

Recommended Citation

Kwasek, Marek R. (2025) "Influence of Virtual Reality Cognitive Fidelity on Biomechanical Adaptation and Motor Strategies with a Custom Prosthesis and Foot Controller.," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 20.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/20