Luria's Test (“fist-edge-palm” test or Luria Sequence) is a task that requires a patient to imitate three hand motions performed by a clinician. Luria's test is part of the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) battery of tests. Luria's test assesses for frontal lobe (i.e. - executive) dysfunction or damage, as patients will often have difficulty with fine motor skills and sequencing motor skills. Specifically, it is designed to assess different aspects of executive function, including execution of a learned motor program, inhibitory control, attentional flexibility, working memory, and motor planning.[1]
The Luria sequence was developed by Russian neuropsychologist Alexander Luria. Luria observed that patients with severe frontal lobe lesions were often unable to alter their responses to a motor task when additional steps were added or if the order of steps was changed.[2]
With fingers fully extended and the patient following, the examiner makes the 3 following motions in sequence, and asks the patient to follow along:
The examiner and patient then repeat this motion together 3
more times. The hand motions can be reinforced by counting from 1 to 3 along with each segment, or by saying “cut, fist, and slap.” Patients are then asked to repeat these sequence of movements unguided by the examiner several times.[3]
3
complete motor sequences in the correct order without making an error. If they cannot perform this, a sequencing deficit should be suspected. Performance on the Luria sequence may be affected by other factors such as physical disability, weakness, medications, sensory deficits, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the joints, muscles, or bones. Also, there is limited normative data, and it is not a comprehensive test by itself.[5]