Feedback modality and dimension in voluntary skin temperature control

Abstract

Ten male and ten female subjects were trained in the voluntary control of peripheral skin temperature, under four different conditions of feedback. These conditions were (i) visual proportional, (ii) visual binary, (iii) auditory proportional, and (iv) auditory binary. Results were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA and showed a significant effect attributable to dimension, with proportional displays promoting faster acquisition of control than binary displays. No differences were detected between the visual and the auditory modes or in gender identity. The importance of these results is discussed with reference to the present need for a taxonomy of feedback displays which would optimize the effects of feedback training in a clinical milieu.