High Fidelity Vibrokinetic Stimulation Augments Emotional Reactivity and Interhemispheric Coherence During Passive Multimedia Interaction

Haptic technologies are widely used in multimedia entertainment to psychophysiologically enhance user experience. Psychometric-based research regarding vibrokinetic stimulation during multimedia viewing supports this notion. However, scant neurophysiological evidence exists to verify this effect. Using a between groups design with source-localized electroencephalography, the present study analyzed the effect of high fidelity vibrokinetic (HFVK) stimulation during passive multimedia interaction (i.e. watching a haptically enhanced movie) on self-reported emotional state and intercortical theta coherence. Results indicate that HFVK increases emotional reactivity in association with increased interhemispheric coherence between the right inferiortemporal gyrus and the left insular cortex, thereby conferring neurophysiological support for the efficaciousness of HFVK to enhance emotional response during movie watching.