Multimodal Feedback to Make Real Walking in Virtual Reality More Accessible for People with and without Mobility Impairments

Walking in immersive virtual reality (VR) environments is often disrupted by gait (i.e., walking patterns) instability, a challenge that is further exacerbated for individuals with mobility impairments. This study examines the effectiveness of multimodal feedback by integrating auditory, vibrotactile, and visual cues in improving walking performance within VR. A total of 68 participants, equally divided between those with mobility impairments and those without, completed walking tasks under multiple feedback conditions. Walking velocity was the primary performance metric, supplemented by subjective assessments of mental workload, fatigue, presence, usability, and simulator sickness. Results revealed that multimodal feedback significantly enhanced walking velocity compared to unimodal and bimodal conditions, with statistical analysis confirming strong improvements (p < .001). Participants also reported a favorable user experience under multimodal conditions despite slightly increased cognitive demand. These findings highlight the potential of integrated sensory feedback to mitigate gait disturbances in VR, promoting safer and more accessible locomotion for users with and without mobility impairments.