VISUO-TACTILE INTEGRATION MODULATES SHORT-TERM MEMORY PROCESSES IN HUMANS

Recent evidence indicates that somatosensory stimulation can modulate human memory through mechanisms of cross-modal integration and neuromodulation. We hypothesized that indirect somatosensory stimulation via tactile-evocative visual cues could trigger similar cross-modal benefits. To this aim, we designed a between-groups computer-based experiment to test short-term memory using two types of textual stimuli: one presented on a visual background containing tactile-evocative elements (visuo-tactile condition), the other presented on a same-colour but neutral background (control condition). Textual stimuli were pre-selected based on a preliminary study. Memory was assessed 35 seconds after text presentation through both spontaneous recall and a recognition task with a 12-words checklist. Throughout the experiment, we recorded electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate (HR) as measure of psychophysiological activation, alongside EEG to calculate indices of approach–withdrawal (AW) towards the stimuli and workload (WL). Self-reported measures of empathy and bodily activation were also collected to correlate individual traits with memory performance. Our preliminary results indicate significantly improved memory performance in the visuo-tactile group, associated with a distinct pattern of psychophysiological activation. Overall, our results suggest that visually-induced cross-modal integration can facilitate information processing, potentially by recruiting bottom-up mechanisms of multisensory integration and neuromodulation. Future research will focus on the specific neurobiological mechanisms underlying this effect. Ultimately, these findings provide new insights into the role of cross-modal integration in memory and offer promising implications for optimizing digital learning and communication through sensory-enriched designs.