Can simple error sonification in combination with music help improve accuracy in upper limb movements?

While repetitive training is widely regarded to be a useful rehabilitation strategy, such training requires motivation that may be lacking. In order to improve motivation in a potentially inexpensive and simple manner, we introduce in this proof-of-concept study a combination of error sonification and music for upper limb training. Twelve healthy participants trained a figure tracing task for the upper limb, six receiving feedback in terms of error sonification and music and six without receiving feedback in the control group. The error-sonified feedback group decreased its amount of error significantly compared to the control group. Thus this particular paradigm can help teach planar reaching movements. Eventually this paradigm may become simple and useful enough to enhance existing therapeutic intervention in stroke rehabilitation.