[decimon]

Very interesting. I have MS which causes destruction of myelin. That finger tapping test is part of a regular neuro exam. I can tap my finger on one hand, just fine, but on the other hand, the finger tapping is erratic, gets slower toward the end of the ten seconds, and not rhythmic at all...obviously because I have lesions affecting one side but not the other.

Sorry to see you have MS and hope you find something to alleviate it.

Can you tell us what is that tapping test? A rapid tapping for some time period?

[Dawn531]

From the article:”To test their hypothesis, they used one of the simplest and best understood tests of central nervous system processing speed: how fast an individual can tap their index finger.”

How the test is administered is they have you take your index finger and tap it on a table for a specified period of time. First with one hand, then with the other. They observe if the tapping is equal on both sides, or if the tapping is impeded or erratic.

Some neuros just have you tap your thumb and forefinger together for a time.

Here’s a video of the test, the finger to thumb tap (scroll down to the Hand Rapid Alternating Movement video):

http://library.med.utah.edu/neurologicexam/html/coordination_normal.html