Brief Audiovisual Feedback Training Yields Long-Lasting Gains in Multisensory Integration and Speech Comprehension: Contributions of Different Cognitive Abilities.

Abstract

The ability to integrate information from different sensory modalities, such as vision and hearing, enables us to perceive and understand complex stimuli. The relevance of this ability can be seen in speech perception, for example, which requires the integration of auditory (e.g., voice) and visual (e.g., lip movements) information. Recent studies have shown that the accuracy of this integration process, and thus speech comprehension, can be improved by brief audiovisual feedback training. However, the long-term stability as well as associated cognitive mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a short audiovisual feedback training on multisensory integration and speech perception using three different paradigms. Audiovisual integration was evaluated at three distinct time points: pretraining, immediately post-training and 12 days later. To investigate the relationship between training efficacy and specific cognitive abilities, participants underwent the German version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV), which assesses language comprehension, perceptional reasoning, processing speed, working memory and overall intelligence quotient. Notably, our results indicate a sustained enhancement in audiovisual integration and speech perception that persisted for up to 12 days following the training. No associations with cognitive abilities were found. The findings indicate that a brief audiovisual feedback training enables long-term improvements in multisensory integration, independent of cognitive abilities.