Proprioceptive Facilitation of Open-Loop Visual Pointing

Ten Ss showed improved accuracy in open-loop visual pointing following an exposure period in which they received tactile and kinesthetic feedback about the location of visual targets, which cannot be attributed solely to “knowledge of results” and stereotyped movement patterns.

Abstract

Humans are less accurate in pointing to visual targets when denied sight of the arm than when permitted visual guidance of their movements. Nevertheless, 10 Ss showed improved accuracy in open-loop visual pointing following an exposure period in which they received tactile and kinesthetic feedback about the location of visual targets. 10 Ss who made the same number of pointing movements to the visual targets but who received neither tactile and kinesthetic nor visual feedback about their accuracy failed to show any improvement. The improved accuracy of Ss who received tactile and kinesthetic feedback cannot be attributed solely to “knowledge of results” and stereotyped movement patterns, because during the test and exposure periods they were continually varying the physical parameters of their movements.