Purdue manual dexterity testing: Normative data from young people from Turkey

Abstract

Background: The Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) is a widely used tool to measure manual dexterity. Since manual dexterity is highly important for participation in education and the workforce, determining its normative values within specific age categories and cultural contexts is of critical importance.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine normative values for manual dexterity in young people and to investigate the relationship between these values and certain determinants.

Study design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 774 young participants attending selected schools participated in the study using a convenience sampling method. The participants' manual dexterity was assessed using the PPT, including tasks for the right-left hand, both hands, and assembly tasks. Mean scores were analyzed using an independent-sample t-test and one-way Anova test of variance.

Results: It was found that participants performed better in manual dexterity when using their dominant hands, female gender, and increasing age. There was no significant difference in PPT test scores based on the number of siblings or the presence of chronic illness (p > 0.05). Regarding regular sports participation, there was a significant difference in mean scores for PPT right and left hand tasks in favor of those who engage in regular sports (p < 0.05), while there was a significantly greater difference between both hands and assembly tasks (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in mean scores for PPT right hand tasks in favor of those who regularly play musical instruments (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results provide normative data that can be used to assess the manual dexterity of young people. It is believed that systematically examining the manual dexterity of young individuals and evaluating it in the context of the presented normative values will contribute to the early detection of deficiencies and impairments that may negatively affect productivity and the acquisition of vocational skills.

Keywords: Hand dexterity; Manual dexterity; Normative data; Purdue Pegboard Test; Young people.