Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 24, 2025
05:42
An Assessment Method and Toolkit to Evaluate Keyboard Design on Smartphones
Published on: October 5, 2020
3.3K
Measurement of finger tapping performance using a smartphone application: a pilot study.
Richard W Bohannon1, Inga Wang2
1Physical Therapy Consultants: Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 USA.
Journal of Physical Therapy Science
|August 16, 2021
Summary
Smartphone apps can reliably measure finger tapping in young adults, distinguishing dominant from non-dominant hand performance. This digital tool shows potential for assessing voluntary movement functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
Background:
- Finger tapping is a common test for motor function.
- Assessing motor function with digital tools is increasingly important.
- Smartphone applications offer a convenient platform for data collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the measurement properties of a smartphone app for finger tapping.
- To determine the reliability and validity of app-recorded finger tapping data.
- To assess the app's ability to differentiate motor performance between hands.
Main Methods:
- 12 young, right-handed participants performed unilateral index finger tapping using a smartphone app.
- Participants also completed a pegboard task with each hand.
- Data on tapping speed and accuracy were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Finger tapping measurement via smartphone was practicable and reliable.
- The app successfully distinguished between dominant and non-dominant hand tapping performance.
- Finger tapping performance did not correlate with pegboard task performance.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone apps provide a reliable and valid method for measuring finger tapping.
- This technology can assess motor function differences between hands.
- App-based finger tapping may not fully represent other voluntary movement functions.
