NeuResonance: Exploring Feedback Experiences for Fostering the Inter-brain Synchronization

TL;DR

This paper investigates how visual, auditory, and haptic feedback can enhance inter-brain synchronization during collaborative tasks, with potential applications in therapy, education, and group activities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel exploration of multi-sensory feedback modalities to strengthen inter-brain synchronization in collaborative settings.

Findings

Visual feedback via on-body projection mapping increased IBS levels.

Auditory feedback through chord sonification enhanced synchronization.

Haptic feedback with wrist vibrations also contributed to higher IBS levels.

Abstract

When several individuals collaborate on a shared task, their brain activities often synchronize. This phenomenon, known as Inter-brain Synchronization (IBS), is notable for inducing prosocial outcomes such as enhanced interpersonal feelings, including closeness, trust, empathy, and more. Further strengthening the IBS with the aid of external feedback would be beneficial for scenarios where those prosocial feelings play a vital role in interpersonal communication, such as rehabilitation between a therapist and a patient, motor skill learning between a teacher and a student, and group performance art. This paper investigates whether visual, auditory, and haptic feedback of the IBS level can further enhance its intensity, offering design recommendations for feedback systems in IBS. We report findings when three different types of feedback were provided: IBS level feedback by means of on-body projection mapping, sonification using chords, and vibration bands attached to the wrist.