Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Last Modified: January 06, 2025 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script offers an adaptation of the Finger Tapping Test (aka Finger Tapping Oscillation Test) - FTT- for the computer. The FTT is a test of self-directed motor-speed.
More background information can be found under:
Https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ7n4QVw7-0C&pg=PA1043&lpg= PA1043&dq=Finger+Tapping+Test&source=bl&ots=F52XMBRtZ5&sig= 6fAZl7iCbkBccO4sws0OMiflUCk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Pwn6ToKgKIrjiALoqdyhDg&ved=0CF0Q6AEwBg#v= onepage&q=Finger%20Tapping%20Test&f=false
Note: this script was adapted for touchscreens by using a simple blue circle as the response button.
7 minutes
Participants are instructed to tap a blue circle with either the index finger of their dominant or non-dominant hand as often as they can within a 10s time period (=default). The 10s time period starts with the first tap. Valid taps are those that occur within that 10s time period.
Scoring: Participants run through a mandatory number of 5 rounds (=blocks). The scores (=number of taps) get ranked from lowest to highest
If the scores of these 5 rounds are within 5 (=default) taps of each other, the final score is the mean tapping score.
If the score of these 5 rounds are not within 5 taps of each other, an additional block is run, until 5 scores can
be found that are within a 5-point range (checking starts from the 5 highest ranked scores to the lowest ranked scores).
The final score is the mean of these 5 scores.
The maximum number of rounds is 10. If no 5 scores can be found that are within a 5 point range from each other,
the final score is the mean of all 10 tapping scores. A separate score for the dominant and the non-dominant hand is kept.
Order: Testing starts with a practice round, followed by 5-10 testing rounds with the dominant hand and ends
after 5-10 rounds of testing with the non-dominant hand.
After each round of testing, participants receive feedback and get at least a 10s (=default) rest period.
After every 3 (=default) testing rounds, this resting period is increased to 60s (=default).
1. Practice Phase: 10s (Task: press the blue circle as many times as you can)
2. Test Phase 1: Dominant Hand
• runs minimum 5 blocks (10s each) and maximum 10
• after 5 blocks are run, the tapping counts are ranked and compared to each other: if 5 scores are are within 5 taps (default) of each other
the FinalScore is calculated. If the FinalScore is found, no more blocks are run for the current hand. If the
FinalScore is not found, an additional block is run. The Phase ends after max. 10 blocks.
If no five scores can be found that are within 5 taps of each other after 10 blocks, the average tapping count is used as the Final Score
2. Test Phase 2: Non-Dominant Hand
• runs minimum 5 blocks (10s each) and maximum 10
• after 5 blocks are run, the tapping counts are ranked and compared to each other: if 5 scores are are within 5 taps (default) of each other
the FinalScore is calculated. If the FinalScore is found, no more blocks are run for the current hand. If the
FinalScore is not found, an additional block is run. The Phase ends after max. 10 blocks.
If no five scores can be found that are within 5 taps of each other after 10 blocks, the average tapping count is used as the Final Score
see section Editable Instructions
File Name: fingertapping_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| scoreDominant | The final score for the dominant hand |
| scoreNondominant | The final score for the non-dominant hand see scoring information below |
File Name: fingertapping_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| blockCode | Name of the current block |
| blockNum | Number of the current block |
| trialCode | Name of the current trial |
| trialNum | Number of the current trial |
| response | "target" |
| dominantHand | Whether the dominant (1) or the non-dominant hand (0) is tested |
| blockCount | Keeps track of the number of blocks run for each hand |
| tapCount | Counts the valid taps in each round (=score) |
| rank1-rank10 | The ranking of the scores |
| scoreDetermined | 1 = the final score was determined; 0 =otherwise |
| finalScore | The final score for the current hand |
| scoreDominant | The final score for the dominant hand |
| scoreNondominant | The final score for the non-dominant hand |
| restperiod | The duration of the restperiod after a round |
| parameters.maxdifference | The max difference in scores of the five scores used to calculate final score |
| parameters.blockLength | The duration of a block ("round") - after the first tap |