BeSound: A Novel Approach to Manipulate Proprioception and Body Awareness Using Auditory Feedback

Background: Movement and physical exercise have been shown to have positive effects on human wellbeing, mental health, and neurorehabilitation. However, little is known about the factors that influence proprioception and body awareness during exercise. Method: We designed BeSound, a wearable device that provides continuous real-time auditory feedback on human gestures during exercise and dance. We tested the effects of the device on participants' ratings of bodily awareness, reward, immersion, embodiment, and self-efficacy using a within-subject design. Results: The wearable was well received by the participants and had a significant impact on the participants' ratings in all areas. Conclusions: The results suggest that auditory feedback can be used to manipulate bodily awareness during exercise and dance. Further research is needed to investigate the potential of auditory proprioceptive feedback for mental health.