Effects of visual acuity and visual motor speed and dexterity on cognitive test performance

This study examined the hypothesis that near visual acuity and visual motor speed and dexterity contribute significantly to performance on cognitive tests that place a premium on these functions. Near visual acuity for both eyes, Finger Tapping Test - average taps with dominant hand, and Grooved Pegboard Test - dominant hand time, served as the independent variables. The dependent variables were Trail Making Test-Part B and the Performance subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Results indicated that while visual acuity was significantly correlated with all six test variables, it did not contribute to the regression model as well as Pegboard time or Tapping speed. Pegboard time and Tapping speed contributed to the regression model, but in different ways depending upon which test was examined.