08/01/2026
So simple, yet profoundly complex. The Finger-Nose-Finger test is part of our entry level neurological exam looking for brain function in neurodevelopmental and traumatic brain injury cases. It’s simple: “Touch your nose, then my finger, then your nose, then my finger in a different position in space.” Simple, right? Yes, if the complex integration of brain maps and processing is accurate and fast. But, when these brain maps of the body and space are off due to development or trauma, we see a breakdown in the speed & accuracy of performance. If we see a deficit, we follow it up with rapid alternating movements of the hand or fingers, balance testing, rotation perception, eye tracking, smoothness and degree of movement of the cervical spinal joints, and more. The picture of the cause begins to clarify in the form of a portion of the nervous system or network of the brain that needs nourishment and gentle activation to promote recovery and normal development. So, the right Finger-Nose Finger test utilizes the right cerebellum, the left parietal lobe, and the left frontal lobe, primarily. We can also use this as a therapy to exercise those brain areas. If you get better with practice, then the nerve networks are receptive and healthy enough to benefit from this. Stacking therapies provides even more benefit. If the exam pointed more toward the parietal lobe deficit, stacking therapies might include right body vibration or light touch. Each person is treated individually.