Engineering Auditory Cues for Gait Modulation: Effects of Continuous and Discrete Sound Features

Auditory cueing has become an increasingly practical tool in gait rehabilitation; however, the specific sound features that modulate gait performance remain unclear. This study investigated how tempo and auditory continuity, two fundamental acoustic features, influence spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy adults. Thirty-five participants walked under six auditory conditions combining discrete, continuous, and hybrid feedback at slow (60 BPM) and fast (120 BPM) tempi, with gait metrics captured via a pressure-sensor walkway and subjective responses gathered through questionnaires. Compared with the silent baseline, auditory cueing significantly affected cadence [F(1.88, 63.75) = 8.95, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.21]; velocity [F(1.69, 57.49) = 10.15, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.23]; and stride length [F(1.74, 59.26) = 6.87, p = 0.003, ηp2 = 0.17]. Slower tempi reduced gait parameters, while the combined continuous and discrete conditions produced the greatest modulation. Participants reported that they had attempted to synchronize their steps with the auditory cues, which may have led to small adjustments in their natural walking speed and stride patterns, especially during the slower tempo. This suggests that rhythmic structure and sound continuity affect both perceptual and motor processes. Overall, sound continuity exerted a stronger influence on gait than tempo alone. These findings advance understanding of sensorimotor synchronization and highlight the potential of designing tailored auditory feedback systems to enhance movement awareness and inform clinical gait-rehabilitation strategies.