Method for quantitative estimation of position perception using a joystick during linear movement
Wada, Y.; Tanaka, M.; Mori, S.; Chen, Y.; Sumigama, S.; Naito, H.; Maeda, M.; Yamamoto, M.; Watanabe, S.; Kajitani, N.
Environmental Medicine Annual Report of the Research Institute of Environmental Medicine Nagoya University 40(2): 178-182
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0287-0517 PMID: 12703537 Document Number: 466467
We designed a method for quantitatively estimating self-motion perceptions during passive body movement on a sled. The subjects were instructed to tilt a joystick in proportion to perceived displacement from a giving starting position during linear movement with varying displacements of 4 m, 10 m and 16 m induced by constant acceleration of 0.02 g, 0.05 g and 0.08 g along the antero-posterior axis. With this method, we could monitor not only subjective position perceptions but also response latencies for the beginning (RLbgn) and end (RLend) of the linear movement. Perceived body position fitted Stevens' power law, where R=kSn (R is output of the joystick, k is a constant, S is the displacement from the linear movement and n is an exponent). RLbgn decreased as linear acceleration increased. We conclude that this method is useful in analyzing the features and sensitivities of self-motion perceptions during movement.