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Measuring motor speed through typing: a surrogate for the finger tapping test
Daniel Austin1, Holly Jimison, Tamara Hayes
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Avenue MC: CH13B, Portland, OR 97239, USA. austidan@bme.ogi.edu
Behavior Research Methods
|April 16, 2011
Summary
This study introduces a new method for measuring motor speed using computer login data, offering a convenient alternative to the finger-tapping test (FTT). This approach shows strong correlations with traditional FTT results in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Motor speed is a key indicator of cognitive and physical health.
- The traditional finger-tapping test (FTT) has limitations, including infrequent administration and need for trained personnel.
- Existing methods for assessing motor function are often inconvenient and lack continuous monitoring capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and validate an alternative method for measuring motor speed using interkeystroke intervals (IKI) from computer login data.
- To address the limitations of traditional motor speed assessments like the FTT.
- To enable unobtrusive, continuous, in-home assessment of motor function.
Main Methods:
- Collected interkeystroke intervals (IKI) from familiar login data during regular computer use in an elderly cohort.
- Compared median IKIs from dominant and nondominant hands with mean tapping speeds from the FTT.
- Utilized statistical analysis to determine correlations between the two measurement methods.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between FTT tapping speeds and median IKIs for both the nondominant hand (r = .77) and the dominant hand (r = .70).
- The proposed IKI method demonstrated face validity to the FTT.
- The study highlights the potential for continuous, in-home motor speed assessment.
Conclusions:
- Measuring interkeystroke intervals (IKI) from computer login data is a valid and feasible alternative to the finger-tapping test (FTT) for assessing motor speed.
- This novel approach facilitates unobtrusive, continuous, and convenient in-home monitoring of motor function, particularly in elderly populations.
- The findings support the integration of this method into routine health assessments for early detection of functional decline.
