MORE | Spring 2025

Effects of Immersive Visual Feedback Distortion on Step Length Symmetry Using Augmented Reality

Gait asymmetry affects mobility, balance, and energy efficiency in aging populations and those with neurological disorders. Visual feedback distortion (VD) can be used to induce gait symmetry adaptation more effectively than other training modalities, but its aftereffects remain short-lived. Traditional feedback via stationary monitors limits adaptability and engagement, and augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) offer an alternative by integrating feedback into the user’s field of view. This study compares VD using AR HMDs versus conventional displays during treadmill walking to assess step length symmetry and aftereffects, informing future rehabilitation strategies for gait training and motor learning.