Has anyone had a hand clapping test done by the doctor or heard of such thing? Yesterday when I had my dh at the doctor he did the following:
He told my dh to turn his left hand with the palm up and then clap his left hand with the top of his right hand and then with the palm of his right hand. He demostrated this several times. It was almost funny how many different ways my dh could attempt to do this by clapping in various ways and never getting it right. Finally, the doctor held his hands and helped him to do it correctly and after several attempts he could do it. What does this test suppose to tell the doctor. I know I should have asked him but I was so floored by the demostration I forgot to ask him.
I know what you mean. It seemed rather difficult to me at first. Then when I got home and tried it, it was easy when you just twist your right hand on the back motion and flip it down on your left palm. I thought it was strange. When we go back I am going to ask him what that was all about.
My husband has never had a hand clapping test, but he did have a test using his fingers. He had to copy what the doctor did. He could do it a year ago, he wouldn't be able to do it now.
I think it is a really good idea! It kind of reminds me of the test that we did when we were little. Pat your head and rub you stomach at the same time...now reverse the direction you rub while patting your head.
I am not familiar with that particular test but I suspect it is a part of the exam meant to assess co-ordination and spatial orientation. (Similar to asking a patient to touch his nose with his left pointer finger, touch his ear with his right hand and then put both hands on his lap.) My husbands Neuro has asked him to follow instructions which involve tapping the desk with his hand in three different positions. Of course he cannot follow such complicated instructions. I usually leave the interview wondering if I could 'pass' these tests either. I am sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon to cast some light on this.
My DH has parkinson's plus dementia and this is a test that is done every time he goes to the doctor. Coordination and spatial orientation. Sometime he can do it and sometimes he can't.
When I suspected that my DH had a memory problem, I told our PCP. He had my DH do the “clock test”. He asked him to draw the face of a clock & told him the time to have the hands point to. (of course he told me to draw too) Well DH drew the circle, put the numbers on the outside of the circle & didn’t know where to draw the hands for the clock. That is when our PCP realized that my concerns were well founded & he referred us to the neurologist