An evaluation tool for psychomotor performance during visual motor task: an application of information theory

On the basis of an approach inspired by Shannon's information theory, a Visual Motor Efficiency (VME) index is proposed. This index is an absolute measure of performance because it expresses a percentage of a perfect performance. By means of a Psycho Motor Performance Device (PMPD), this index is used to evaluate psychomotor performance during visual pointing task. Localising was carried out with the help of a unidirectional handle that only allows supination or pronation movements of the wrist to reach targets that appear on a computer screen in the form of a small square along the horizontal (left/right) and vertical (up/down) arms of a cross. The PMPD was designed so that the progress of the visual motor task would be immediately examined. In a pilot study dedicated to track the evolution of performance in six subjects for six consecutive days, we show that the degree of directional coherence between movement and effect produced is an important factor. Indeed the performance level is significantly lower when it is a question of pointing at targets located along the vertical arm compared to pointing at those along the horizontal. These results indicate that PMPD is a valid and sensitive measurement of human psychomotor performance in charting the progress of a subject during training.