Communicating Gait Performance Through Musical Energy: Towards an Intuitive Biofeedback System for Neurororehabilitation

The use of rhythmic auditory cues in gait rehabilitation has beenshown to improve walking performance across numerous neurological conditions. The utility of interactive sonification in suchsettings has also been increasingly researched, and the use of musical stimuli has been of considerable interest due to their emotionalappeal and movement-inducing capabilities. This paper presents the design and implementation of musical gait sonification systemcapable of real-time temporal gait parameter measurement and organic synthesis of layered rhythmic music. We introduce the use of musical energyas an intuitive and interesting sonic feedback dimension, and outline the design of our feedback model based on timbre embodiment research. The feedback model was evaluatedby means of a listening test with 14 cognitively unimpaired participants. The results showed that musical energy changes wereperceived easily and as intended by the majority of participantswith no prior training, although the perceived changes were generally modest in magnitude. Future work primarily includes theexploration of suitable gait mapping strategies to the musical en-ergy dimension, and the design of additional feedback strategiesto enhance feelings of musical agency and engagement in the re-habilitation setting. Future studies must also include user-centric system tests involving real patients and clinicians.