Reliability, precision, and clinically important change of the Nine-Hole Peg Test in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

This study evaluated the reliability, precision, and clinically important change of the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) over a 1-week period. Sixty-nine patients with multiple sclerosis completed the 9-HPT on two occasions 1 week apart. Test-retest reliability was based on intraclass correlation coefficient, and precision was based on standard error of measurement and coefficient of variation. Clinically important change was based on the minimal detectable change. Intraclass correlation coefficients exceed 0.90 for all 9-HPT metrics. Standard error of measurements for dominant (DH) and nondominant (NDH) hand time were 1.58 and 2.69 s, and 0.03 peg/s for both DH and nondominant NDH speed, respectively. Coefficient of variations for DH and NDH time were 4.3 and 3.8%, and 4.5 and 4.6% for DH and NDH speed. Minimal detectable changes for DH and NDH time were 19.4 and 29.1%, and 18.6 and 20.5% for DH and NDH speed. These data provide evidence on reliability, precision, and clinically important change of the 9-HPT over a 1-week period in multiple sclerosis for clinicians and researchers.