Decline in physical performance has been established as a risk factor for mortality and disability in older adults. Although previous studies have reported the age-related changes in finger-tapping ability, no study has been published describing the prognostic implications of finger tap reaction time among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 433 participants (227 men and 206 women) aged over 65 years were enrolled in the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging. According

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... o the finger tap reaction time, participants were divided into 2 groups: a fast-reaction group and a slow-reaction group. We analyzed the interaction between delay in motor speed measured using the finger-tapping task and 5-year poor functional outcome, defined as short physical performance battery (SPPB) scores of 9 or less or mortality, during the follow-up period. Results: A significant increase in the risk of poor functional outcome was observed in the slow-reaction group, compared with in the fast-reaction group, even after covariate adjustment using multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-3.58). Conclusion: We conclude that delayed finger tap reaction time is an independent prognostic factor for poor functional outcome in older adults.