  Serious games are accepted as an effective approach to deliver augmented
feedback in motor (re-) learning processes. The multi-modal nature of the
conventional computer games (e.g. audiovisual representation) plus the ability
to interact via haptic-enabled inputs provides a more immersive experience.
Thus, particular disciplines such as medical education in which frequent hands
on rehearsals play a key role in learning core motor skills (e.g. physical
palpations) may benefit from this technique. Challenges such as the
impracticality of verbalising palpation experience by tutors and ethical
considerations may prevent the medical students from correctly learning core
palpation skills. This work presents a new data glove, built from off-the-shelf
components which captures pressure sensitivity designed to provide feedback for
palpation tasks. In this work the data glove is used to control a serious game
adapted from the infinite runner genre to improve motor skill acquisition. A
comparative evaluation on usability and effectiveness of the method using
multimodal visualisations, as part of a larger study to enhance pressure
sensitivity, is presented. Thirty participants divided into a game-playing
group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15) were invited to perform a simple
palpation task. The game-playing group significantly outperformed the control
group in which abstract visualisation of force was provided to the users in a
blind-folded transfer test. The game-based training approach was positively
described by the game-playing group as enjoyable and engaging.
