Evaluation of a Multisensory Stimulation Tool: Effect of Auditory, Olfactory and Visual Stimuli for Scenario Identification and Memory Evocation

In this paper we present the results of the evaluation of a low-level prototype implementing the concept of Personal Spaces for Multisensory Stimulation (PS4MS). A wizard of Oz evaluation was conducted in terms of the identification of the scenarios presented and the evocation of memories through the stimuli provided to study participants. Evaluation results provide evidence regarding: (i) that participants were able to recognize the scenarios 97.11% of the times and evoke memories 73.26% of the times using the tool, based on the provided olfactory, auditory and visual stimuli; (ii) understanding that although visual stimuli were determinant for scenario recognition, olfactory stimuli were perceived by participants as the most important for memory evocation; and (iii) understanding that the familiarity of the scenario is key both for scenario identification and for the evocation of memories in the participants. This results encourage us to continue working on the construction and evaluation of a high-level version of our PS4MS prototype, which will include tactile (haptic) stimuli in addition to the stimuli already provided.