Objective: i. To validate the use of a computerised finger tapping task as a screening measure for Executive Dysfunction (EF) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), against traditional non-computerised measures.

ii. To determine whether the modality of the cue stimulus (visual vs audio vs somatosensory) in the computerised finger tapping task affects performance.

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that automated tapping tasks are able to accurately predict PD symptom severity. However, the efficacy of these approaches are potentially reduced by co-morbid impairment of cognitive function such as impaired Executive Function (EF). This cohort will evaluate a novel computerised measure of EF (a paced computerised finger tapping task), against more traditional assessments.

Methods: 100 patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic PD will complete a battery of traditional EF assessments and a Computerised Finger Tapping Task (PD-TAP) on a tablet device. PD-TAP consists of a Fast Finger Tapping Task, previously shown to have high predictive value for PD symptoms, and a Paced Finger Tapping Task, which may be susceptible to EF variance.

Here, we investigate the extent to which intrinsic rhythm generation is a predictor of EF. Furthermore, we compare the impact of varying the modality of the pacing cue from Auditory to Visual to Somatosensory on performance.

Results: Data from the Fast Finger Tapping Task demonstrate that tapping frequency and variance are strong predictors of motor impairment. Further analysis will determine whether the paced tapping data are predictive of EF tests, and if screening these data can improve motor symptom prediction. Furthermore, ANOVA analysis of the pacing modality data will provide insights into the role of underlying neural processing on cognitive and motor performance.

Conclusions: The sensitivity of automated assessment techniques is dependent upon the ability to control for cognitive variance. Results of this study will reveal if there are significant correlations between performance on traditional measures of EF and the computerised finger tapping task. Furthermore, differences in tapping performance across pacing modalities will offer an insight into preferential processing of cues in PD, which could inform future therapies.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/validation-of-computerised-measures-of-executive-functioning-for-use-in-parkinsons-disease-assessments/