RECOVERY OF SIMPLE MOTOR-SKILLS AFTER HEAD-INJURY

The performance of 40 head-injured patients (HI) without peripheral up per body injuries and 88 normal controls were compared on finger tappi ng and grip strength 1 month and 1 year after injury. The HI group dem onstrated deficits on both tasks 1 month after injury, but only finger tapping was impaired 1 year postinjury. While grip strength different ially improved in the HI group from 1 month to 1 year, finger tapping improved similarly in both groups. The pattern of results was similar when a subset of 25 HI patients without any evidence of focal lesions were examined. These results demonstrate (1) motor deficits are presen t 1 year after injury even in a sample of predominantly mild head-inju ry patients, (2) grip strength is more sensitive to recovery in the fi rst year after head injury, and (3) finger tapping continues to be imp aired 1 year after head injury possibly due to its speed requirements.