Rate and variability of finger tapping as measures of lateralized concurrent task effects

Using a sample of 48 normal right-handed adults, we assessed the effects of oral reading on concurrent unimanual finger tapping under all combinations of instructional set (speeded vs. consistent tapping), tapping movement (repetitive vs. alternating), task emphasis (reading emphasized vs. tapping emphasized), and tapping hand. Change in tapping rate and variability was measured relative to the corresponding single task control condition. Reading decreased the rate of speeded finger tapping but increased the rate of consistent tapping. In both instances, the right hand was affected more than the left hand. Asymmetries were comparable for repetitive and alternating tapping. When measured in terms of variability, however, effects were largely symmetric. The findings clarify the conditions under which lateralized concurrent task effects are most likely to occur and show that such effects are not statistical artifacts. It appears that subjects attempt to coordinate the timing of concurrent activities and that speech timing is more strongly linked to right-hand control than to left-hand control in right-handers.