Visual Biofeedback and Postural Control: Exploring Potential Unconscious Visual Integration

Abstract

Visual biofeedback (vFB) is known to improve postural control by reducing the center of pressure (COP) sway and its complexity. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these changes are not fully understood. This study investigates a potential unconscious utilization of visual biofeedback (vFB) for postural control by providing participants with both accurate and erroneous feedback (i.e., feedback not congruent with actual body sway) without disclosing the nature of the visual information. Forty young adults were asked to stand as still as possible and were exposed to both accurate and erroneous vFB through a monitor, without explanations regarding the feedback other than that it could or could not help them stand as still as possible. Despite this lack of information, 15 out of 40 participants reported being aware of the vFB nature. Results indicated that both aware and unaware participants exhibited improved postural control under accurate vFB conditions (i.e. reduced COP variability and area, increased COP irregularity, and a shift toward higher sway frequencies). Conversely, small impairments were observed during erroneous vFB. Although the effect on unaware participants was less, these findings highlight a possible unconscious integration of the visual feedback, no matter its relevance.