Direct versus Indirect Visual Feedback: the Effect of Technology in Neurorehabilitation

Abstract

Visuomotor feedback and its impact on performing and learning movements is an extensively studied field, both through the use of experiments under different types of visuomotor feedback, as well as through neurophysiological studies. Neurorehabilitation of the upper-limb relies heavily on repetitive targeted movements and in recent decades, the introduction of instrumented and robotic devices coupled with computer screens have substituted the existing direct visual feedback of traditional practice with an indirect feedback. However, the impact of such a shift has not been studied.Putting in perspective the literature on these different aspects, this paper shows that there seems to be little indication that the feedback type may significantly affect the neurorehabilitation outcomes. Nevertheless, despite the intrinsic difficulties in directly observing the effects of the introduction of indirect visual feedback in neurorehabilitation practices, it is of interest to investigate further this specific aspect of the newly introduced technologies.