TEST

Motor speed (Finger Tapping)

Baseline measure of the motor component of reaction time

Assesses the speed of voluntary movement, practically free from perceptual or decision-making demands. A sensitive indicator of extrapyramidal disorders, motor lesions, and hand lateralization.

Request a demo

← Back to SPAIn battery

10 s

PER SERIES

5

SERIES PER HAND

ms

PRECISION

WHAT THE TEST IS

A pure measure of motor speed

Inspired by the Finger Tapping task described by Strauss et al. (2006), this test is used as a measure of motor speed because it has shown sensitivity to generalized slowing of responses.

It is a baseline measure of the motor component of reaction time, relatively free from perceptual or decision-making demands. It reflects the motor integrity of the central and peripheral nervous system, being sensitive to extrapyramidal disorders, cortical, cerebellar, or corticospinal motor lesions, and to hand lateralization (Kennedy et al., 2003).

HOW IT IS ADMINISTERED

Tap the space bar for 10 seconds

The user taps the space bar as quickly as possible for 10 seconds. 5 series are performed with each hand, starting with the right hand. The user sits about 50 cm from the screen, with their arms supported and responding with their index fingers.

Before starting, the user performs practice trials until they fully understand the task. After the test, questionnaires on fatigue and perceived performance are collected.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

Indicators and their interpretation

Each indicator is calculated separately for the right hand and the left hand, making it possible to detect motor asymmetries.

Taps performed

Total number of taps in each 10-second block, averaged across repetitions. Directly measures motor fluency and speed.

High scores: greater speed and fine motor coordination.
Low scores: suggest motor slowing, fatigue, bradykinesia, or neuromuscular deficits.

Time between taps (RT)

Average milliseconds between one tap and the next. Reflects fine motor speed and sequential movement coordination.

High mean time: slower execution, possible bradykinesia or neuromuscular fatigue.
Low mean time: greater speed, efficient fine motor functioning.

RT variability

Fluctuations in the time between taps across the different blocks (standard deviation). Detects instability in motor execution.

High variability: progressive motor fatigue, attentional fluctuations, or instability.
Low variability: stable and consistent performance, good sustained motor control.

Motor fatigue

Difference between the fifth and first 10-second block. Measures whether performance declines or improves during the task.

Decrease (negative): motor fatigue, difficulty sustaining performance.
Improvement (positive): motor learning, adaptation to the task.

RT fatigue

Comparison of the interval between taps between the fifth and first administration.

RT increases: fatigue or decreased activation level.
RT decreases: learning and optimization of the execution pattern.

Hand asymmetry

Discrepancy between the performance of the dominant and non-dominant hand across all indices.

Makes it possible to detect pathological lateralization characteristic of unilateral conditions: early Parkinson’s disease, stroke, cortical motor lesions.

REFERENCES

Bibliography

Strauss, E., Sherman, E. M. S., & Spreen, O. (2006). A compendium of neuropsychological tests: Administration, norms, and commentary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Kennedy, K. M., & Raz, N. (2003). Pattern of normal age-related regional differences in white matter microstructure is modified by vascular risk. Brain Research.

EXPLORE OTHER TESTS