Neuropsychology Central

[jdo]

Hi all

I'm working on a study at the moment implementing the International HIV dementia scale (IHDS) which, as a measure of motor speed, includes a measure derived from the timed fingertapping test from the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Source material considers that the test should be carried out as follows: "The number of fingertaps of the first two fingers of the non-dominant hand was measured by instructing the participant to open and close the fingers as widely and as quickly as possible over a 5-s period. ". This suggests to me that the fingers should be tapped against each other (i.e. as in an opening and closing scissors) however elsewhere in the literature I've seen the test be described as administered in such a way that the fingers are tapped against i.e. a table and not each other. Would any one have any ideas or experience regarding this /which method is right ?

All opinions/views greatly appreciated