Behavioral Impact of Unisensory and Multisensory Audio-Tactile Events: Pros and Cons for Interlimb Coordination in Juggling

摘要: Recent behavioral neuroscience research revealed that elementary reactive behavior can be improved in the case of cross-modal sensory interactions thanks to underlying multisensory integration mechanisms. Can this benefit generalized an ongoing coordination movements under severe physical constraints? We choose a juggling task examine question. A central issue well-known lies establishing and maintaining specific temporal among balls, hands, eyes posture. Here, we tested whether providing additional timing information about balls hands motions by using external sound tactile periodic stimulations, later presented at wrists, jugglers. One combination auditory metronome led decrease spatiotemporal variability juggler's performance: simple associated left right cues antiphase each other, which corresponded pattern movement task. contrario, no improvements were obtained other combinations. even found degraded performance when events alone. The nervous system thus appears able integrate efficient way environmental brought different modalities, but only if specified matches features pattern. discuss possible implications these results for understanding neuronal process implied audio-tactile interaction context complex voluntary movement, considering gating effect on vibrotactile perception.