Summary

What it measures:

Conditions & Test Variations Included in this Summary:
This summary contains information on the use of this test in patients or clients over 18 years of age with certain neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, which may include but are not limited to subgroups, such as Parkinson disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, hand injuries, schizophrenia, intellectual disabilities, and low vision problems. This review also includes occupational data for patients whose goal was return to work.

Clinical Insights

• The Purdue Pegboard Test is usually administered multiple times over the course of treatment. Be cautious with the results of subsequent trials because there is a practice effect associated with the test. Results that have improved may not be completely due to the intervention.
• The Purdue Pegboard is an easy, reliable, and time-efficient measure that can be helpful in identifying limitations for hand dexterity.
• If it is the patient's first time performing the test, demonstrate each assembly for the patient and allow them to practice no more than 4 rows before they start the actual test.
• The test-retest reliability for the Purdue Pegboard Test is worse for one trial compared to the average of 3 trials in normal populations. Therefore, a full practice trial may be warranted to reduce the effects of motor learning with repeated trials. To reduce the time burden for 3-trial administration, the examiner may choose to administer fewer batteries, such as the right and left placing tests and alternate trials between the right and left hands¹¹.
  
  

ICF Domain(s): d440 Fine hand use, d4400 Picking up, d4401 grasping, d4402 manipulating

Activity and Participation (Disability, QoL)