Box and block test in Beninese adults

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Anthropology

Background:

• The Box and Block Test is a standard measure of manual dexterity.
• Normative data for this test are crucial for clinical assessment and research.
• Existing norms are primarily based on North American and European populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative data for the Box and Block Test in a healthy sub-Saharan African population.
• To compare these findings with existing norms for North American adults.
• To inform functional assessments in African clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• A total of 692 healthy Beninese individuals aged 20-85 years participated.
• Participants performed the Box and Block Test using both their dominant and non-dominant hands.
• Data were analyzed to determine mean scores and standard deviations across different age groups and sexes.

Main Results:

• Mean Box and Block Test scores for women and men were 81.3 (15.4) and 79 (16.6) for the dominant hand, and 73.2 (13.7) and 72 (14.8) for the non-dominant hand, respectively.
• Scores decreased with age, ranging from 89.1 (12.7) in those under 25 to 55.23 (10.5) in those over 74.
• Beninese subjects showed better dexterity than US subjects below age 50 and worse dexterity over age 64 for the right hand.

Conclusions:

• Manual dexterity is influenced by sex, hand dominance, and age in the studied population.
• Significant differences exist between Beninese and North American Box and Block Test norms, particularly in older age groups.
• Developing and validating outcome scales in Africa is essential for accurate functional assessment.