Finger Tapping Test

Background

The Finger Tapping Test (FTT), also known as the Finger Oscillation Test, is a neuropsychological assessment tool used to measure self-directed motor speed, coordination, and the health of the nervous system. It is a sensitive indicator of brain damage and is frequently used to evaluate conditions like Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injuries, and dementia.

The FTT was developed in 1947 by Ward C. Halstead and his doctoral student Ralph M. Reitan who later refined the test and established much of the clinical interpretation and normative data used today.

The task is simple: tap a finger (either on the dominant hand or the non-dominant one) for as many times as one can during a 10 second period. The original FTT used a mechanical finger tapper that automatically counted the taps. Modern implementations of the FTT use general purpose computer keys, a computer mouse or a touchscreen as well as specialized tapping devices. The Millisecond FTT tasks can be run on keyboards (using the spacebar as the target key) or on touchscreens (on non-touchscreens the mouse can be used for response input instead).

Task Procedure

The Millisecond FTT procedure includes both a test phase for the dominant and one for the non-dominant hand. Testing starts with a practice round, followed by 5-10 testing rounds with the dominant hand and ends after 5-10 rounds of testing with the non-dominant hand. The task is the same in each phase: press the spacebar (or click/touch a blue response button) as often as you can during a 10 second period. The 10-second period starts with the first response. A visible response counter on the screen keeps track of the registered responses. After each round of testing, participants receive feedback and get at least a 10-second rest period. After every 3 testing rounds, this resting period is increased to 60 seconds.

Each testing phase runs a minimum of 5 rounds. After the first 5 rounds, the tapping counts are ranked and compared to each other. If five scores can be found that are within 5 taps of each other ('target variability range'), the current testing phase comes to an end and the final score is calculated as the mean of these 5 scores. Another round is added if fewer than five rounds can be found that are within the target variability range. The maximum number of rounds run is 10. If no five blocks can be found within the target variability range, the final score is calculated as the mean of all 10 rounds.

What it Measures

The Finger Tapping Test (FTT) is a measure self-directed motor speed

Psychological domains

• Motor Function: Evaluates fine motor skills, manual dexterity, and lateralized coordination. It serves as a direct indicator of the integrity of cortical motor areas and efferent motor pathways.
• Attention and Concentration: The test requires sustained focus and alertness to maintain a consistent rhythm over the 10-second trials.

Main Performance Metrics

• Score for the Dominant Hand: average tapping count for the dominant hand
• Score for the Non-Dominant Hand: average tapping count for the non-dominant hand
• Inter-Tap Interval: The average time elapsed between consecutive taps, used to assess the fine temporal resolution of motor control
• Lateralization Ratio: A comparison of the dominant hand's score to the non-dominant hand

Psychiatric Conditions

The following patient groups show impaired performance on the Finger Tapping Task

• Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
• Dementia
• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Stroke
• Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Ataxia
• Multiple Sclerosis

Test Variations

References

Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Finger Tapping Test.

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Halstead, W.C. (1947) Brain and intelligence. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Reitan, R.M. (1969). Manual for administration of neuropsychological test batteries for adults and children. Indianapolis, Indana.

Morrison, M.W., Gregory, R.J., & J.J. (1979). Reliability of the finger tapping test and a note on sex differences. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 48, 139-142.

Reitan, R.M., & Wolfson, D. (1985). The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery: Theory and Interpretation. Tucson, AZ: Neuropsychology Press.

Shimoyama, I., Nicholji, T., & Uemura, K. (1990). The Finger Tapping Test: A quantitative analysis. Archives fo Neurology, 47, 681-684.

Carlier, M., Dumont, A.M., Beau, J. & Michel, F. (1993). Hand performance of French children on a finger tapping test in relation to handedness, sex, and age. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 76, 931-940.

McDermid, R. (2000). A comparison of alternative devices of the finger tapping test. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 15, 690.

Yokoe, M., Okuno, R., Hmasaki, T., Kurachi, Y., Akazawa, K., Sakoda, S. (2009). Opening velocity, a novel parameter, for finger tapping test in patients with Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 15, 440-444.