An evaluation of the reliability of the foot-tapping test in a healthy sample. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pribble, Brian A.; Black, Christopher D.; Larson, Daniel J.; Larson, Rebecca D.
• Is Part Of: Foot. Volume 48(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Foot-Tapping test -- FTT -- Repetitive tapping -- Test reliability -- Upper motor neuron assessment; Foot -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Foot -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Foot Diseases -- Periodicals; Foot -- surgery -- Periodicals; Pied -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Pied -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Pied -- Lésions et blessures -- Périodiques; Foot -- Diseases; Foot -- Surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 617.585005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2021.101851
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-2592

Abstract

Highlights: The foot-tapping test (FTT) exhibits a high test reliability, day-to-day reliability, and inter-rater reliability. Although all 3 count methods had high reliability, the force plate displayed less variability. Our team suggests using the within described protocol and automated counting. Abstract: The foot-tapping test (FTT) can be used to assess upper motor neuron dysfunction in clinical populations. However, relatively little is known regarding the reliability or normative values of the FTT in either healthy or clinical populations. Although several different FTT methods have been used, no study to date has demonstrated the reliability or validity of FTT by comparing it across several different counting methods in healthy persons. This unfortunately limits its usefulness in medicine and research. Objective: This study sought to examine the reliability and validity of the FTT in healthy individuals to determine its usefulness and to make recommendations for its implementation in clinical populations. Furthermore, the concurrent validity and reliability of using a force plate as an objective measure of foot-taps was considered. Design: Thirty-eight healthy individuals had their foot-tapping assessed using Live, Force Plate, and Video Counting methods over four separate visits. Methods: Participants were seated as per previous FTT recommendations and asked to tap their foot in 10-second intervals while the number of taps was counted via Live, Video, and Force Plate counters. This was done with both legs, with shoes ON and OFF, and repeated over four separate visits. Results: Despite significant differences between repeat trials for Force Plate and Video Counts (∼2 foot-taps, p < 0.01), test-retest reliability was high for all three methods (Pearson's R > 0.90). Dominant foot trials were higher (∼2 foot-taps, p < 0.05) than Non-dominant for all three counts. When performed with shoes ON, counts were higher (∼2 foot-taps, p < 0.05) than OFF for the Live and Force Plate counts. Reliability between visits was high (ICC > 0.80) and only the Video count was significantly lower for Visit 1 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Given findings, the authors suggest using a Force Plate counting method and have compiled a list of suggestions for future implementation of the FTT.