The Finger-Tip Numberwriting Test: Practice Effects versus Lateral Asymmetry

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
By counterbalancing hand order, both practice effects and lateral asymmetry were measured on the Finger-tip Numberwriting test together with 5 other tactile tests of finger-tip writing and finger identification administered to 32 right-handed adults averaging 41 yr. of age. Under counterbalanced hand-order conditions, the Finger-tip Numberwriting test showed no lateral asymmetry, but a significant practice effect. In contrast, the same subjects showed a left-hand advantage on nonverbal detection of tactile line direction, indicating normal right-hemispheric superiority. Normal Finger-tip Numberwriting performance likely involves integration of specialized processing capacities in both cerebral hemispheres. The results do not invalidate the standardized Finger-tip Numberwriting test as a clinical tool but demonstrate the value of manipulating independent variables when standardized clinical neuropsychological tests are applied to questions in experimental research.