TAS Test update: Recruiting now

TAS Test is a new computer test that has been developed by researchers at the University of Tasmania to precisely measure hand movements and a range of cognitive functions...

TAS Test update: Recruiting now

TAS Test is a new computer test that has been developed by researchers at the University of Tasmania to  precisely measure hand movements and a range of cognitive functions (memory, thinking skills etc). Thanks to all the ISLAND Project participants who took part in TAS Test in recent years, the team have published several journal papers showing that hand movement patterns help detect subtle declines in cognitive function. These are exciting results that are gaining lots of attention in the media as well as at scientific conferences. You may remember reading about TAS Test in our February ISLAND newsletter, or you may have been a part of TAS Test in previous years.

We wanted let you know that TAS Test assessments will be undertaken in July this year and we will be inviting all people who have previously completed the test to re-do it. We are also recruiting new participants, so if you have access to a laptop or desktop computer and have been meaning to sign up, keep an eye out for the email! 

We have listened to your feedback from previous years, and many of you said you would like to choose whether to do a short or long version of TAS Test. So this year, for the first time, you will have the choice of participating in the full version of TAS Test which takes about 30 minutes or a shorter version that takes about 8-10 minutes.

“This is the largest study of its kind, to measure finger tapping and compare to cognitive function,” Associate Professor Jane Alty, neurologist at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, and lead investigator for TAS Test said. 

“It is also the first to look in detail at how hand movements relate to different cognitive aspects such as memory and executive function. 

“The study’s outcomes bring us a step closer to developing a computer test that can be used at home to detect dementia risk decades before any memory symptoms emerge.” 

Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far. Please spread the word! To continue this project, we need as many people as possible signing up or re-doing the test this July.