The purpose of this test was to measure the motor speed of the index finger.
The subject was asked to tap for 10 seconds as quickly as possible with the left index finger on a computer key (MacIntosh LCII, Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA, USA).
The subject's left hand was placed palm down, index finger on the key.
The investigator was careful that the subject moved only the index finger.
The number of taps was automatically recorded by the computer.
Five consecutive trials were recorded for each subject.
When the results were too variable from one trial to another (more than a five point range from fastest to slowest) additional trials were run and the scores of the deviant trials were discarded.
A maximum of 10 trials was allowed.
A period of five minutes rest was given after each trial.
We considered the mean of the best five trials.