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Associations Between Smartphone-Based Finger Tapping and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: Observational Study
Huitong Ding1,2, Taylor A Orwig3, Jian Rong4
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|February 18, 2026
Summary
Smartphone finger tapping tasks show significant associations with cognitive performance in older adults. These digital measures, especially intertap interval variability, may offer scalable tools for monitoring cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Digital Health
Background:
- Finger tapping tasks assess fine motor control and are proposed as cognitive function markers.
- Smartphone-based assessments offer accessible, non-clinical administration.
- The link between smartphone tapping metrics and cognitive performance requires further understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between smartphone digital finger tapping features and cognitive performance in an aging population.
Main Methods:
- 302 participants from the electronic Framingham Heart Study performed 2-finger tapping tasks bi-monthly for one year.
- Fifteen tapping features, including intertap interval (ITI) properties, were extracted.
- Linear regression models assessed associations with global cognition and four cognitive domains, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Eleven tapping features significantly correlated with global cognitive function (P<.001).
- Increased number of taps associated with higher cognitive scores (β=.14).
- Finger tapping features showed strong associations with executive function (11 features) and mean ITI (β=-0.27).
Conclusions:
- Digital finger tapping features, especially ITI variability, are significantly linked to cognitive performance.
- These tasks present as noninvasive, scalable tools for cognitive assessment.
- Further validation is needed for monitoring cognitive health in aging populations.
