Comparison of the Halstead-Reitan and Infrared Light Beam Finger Tappers

Computer mediated motor tests can provide highly reliable means for evaluating gross and subtle aspects of psychomotor speed and rhythmicity. A computer mediated test of finger and foot tapping, making use of infrared light beam technology, was recently developed, but little is known regarding its psychometric properties. The purpose of this study was to compare performance of healthy right-handed respondents on the new Light Beam Finger & Foot Tapping Device to a traditional finger tapping test used in the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery. Performance on the Halstead-Reitan Finger Tapping Test and on the Light Beam Finger Tapping Test was compared in 16 men and 17 women. The light beam test showed similar psychometric properties to those of the Halstead-Reitan Finger Tapping Test, and scores were moderately correlated between the two tests. Respondents had faster scores on the light beam test; on both tests men were faster than women, and all respondents tapped faster with their dominant hand. Tapping was faster on the Light Beam Finger Tapping Test, possibly because it does not require application of pressure to a mechanical key and a smaller movement registers a tap. In addition to measures of right- and left-hand tapping speed, the light beam test assesses synchronous and alternating tapping and foot tapping. Scores between these subtests showed moderate to high correlations.