Improving Attention Using Wearables via Haptic and Multimodal Rhythmic Stimuli
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3613904.3642256.pdf
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4.89 MB
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Author(s)
Whitmore, Nathan W
Chan, Samantha
Zhang, Jingru
Chwalek, Patrick
Chin, Sam
Maes, Pattie
Date Issued
May 11, 2024
Publisher
ACM
Citation
Whitmore, Nathan W, Chan, Samantha, Zhang, Jingru, Chwalek, Patrick, Chin, Sam et al. 2024. "Improving Attention Using Wearables via Haptic and Multimodal Rhythmic Stimuli."
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Rhythmic light, sound and haptic stimuli can improve cognition through neural entrainment and by modifying autonomic nervous system function. However, the effects and user experience of using wearables for inducing such rhythmic stimuli have been under-investigated. We conducted a study with 20 participants to understand the effects of rhythmic stimulation wearables on attention. We found that combined sound and light stimuli from a glasses device provided the strongest improvement to attention but were the least usable and socially acceptable. Haptic vibration stimuli from a wristband also improved attention and were the most usable and socially acceptable. Our field study (N=12) with haptic stimuli from a smartwatch showed that such systems can be easy to use and were used frequently in a range of contexts but more exploration is needed to improve the comfort. Our work contributes to developing future wearables to support attention and cognition.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Media Laboratory
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Creative Commons Attribution
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642256
