Objective This study was to investigate the difference in hand tapping speed among mentally retarded children with different IQ.Methods The hand tapping speed of 37 mentally retarded children aged 10-14 years old (average age 12.3) was measured by means of a special apparatus.The subjects were divided into two groups according to their intelligence quotient (IQ):Group A with IQ ranged from 55～75 (Mean= 61.3) and Group B with IQ ranged from 35～51 (Mean=42.8).The hand tapping speed (frequency) of left hand and right hand for each subject was measured respectively for one minute.Results The hand tapping speed of the children in group B was obviously slower than that of the children in Group A.The hand tapping speed of the mentally retarded children in group B was compatible to that of the normal 7 years old children.Conclusion Hand tapping speed was significantly slower in mentally retarded children with lower IQs.

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