Development of a new motor coordination test for the upper limb: preliminary usability study and correlation with the Box and Blocks Test and Tapping Test

Motor coordination is a complex variable that is intrinsically linked to an individual’s effective motor ability. Traditional methods of applying assessing motor coordination only incorporate one specific ability, but do not a priori combine fine and gross motor coordination skills. In addition, many tests can discourage volunteers from doing their best, which makes it difficult to assess the progression of this ability. The objective of this study was to develop a new motor coordination test, verify its correlation with the Box and Blocks Test and the Tapping Test and evaluate its usability. A sample of 12 volunteers aged 23-53 took part in the study. It was found that the test developed does not correlate directly with traditional tests, possibly indicating that different skills are required. However, there was a significant correlation between the Tapping Test and the Box and Blocks Test, which could suggest an equivalent correspondence between them. Finally, according to the System Usability Scale score, the system was evaluated as “Best Imaginable” (score of 87.5), indicating it is viable for an application. According to the results presented, the Tapping Digital Test is a potentially viable tool and does not replace traditional tests; further studies are needed to determine its replicability.