The Propriocpetive Aftereffects of Prism Adaptation Influence Interlimb Rhythmic Coordination

Abstract

Adaptation to prisms can produce a change in felt arm position, termed proprioceptive shift. We studied the effects of prism-induced proprioceptive shift on interlimb rhythmic coordination performed under haptic (proprioceptive) guidance, in the absence of vision. Relative to interlimb rhythmic coordination performed before prism exposure, the observed steady states of relative phase for post-exposure coordination were shifted by a small but reliable amount. The shift was in the direction expected given the direction of optical displacement. The amount of variability of interlimb rhythmic coordination was unaffected by prism exposure. The implications of the results apply to virtual environment design.