The Purdue Pegboard test: normative data for older adults with low vision

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Assistive technology usability is linked to user manipulation abilities.
• Aging and visual impairment necessitate tactile information for device interaction.
• Low vision presents unique challenges for manual dexterity assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish performance norms for older adults with low vision using the Purdue Pegboard Test.
• Provide normative data for manual dexterity in this specific demographic.
• Facilitate comparison of performance in future studies involving older adults with low vision.

Main Methods:

• 134 older adults (age 60-97) with low vision (20/30 to 20/604) completed the Purdue Pegboard Test.
• Tests were conducted visually using the dominant hand, non-dominant hand, and both hands.
• Data were collected to establish performance benchmarks for manual dexterity.

Main Results:

• Manual dexterity scores significantly decreased with increasing age.
• Performance was generally best when using the dominant hand.
• Scores were lower than established norms for healthy older adults and younger visually impaired individuals.

Conclusions:

• The study provides crucial normative data for older adults with low vision on the Purdue Pegboard.
• These findings enable more informed recommendations for assistive low-vision devices by rehabilitation specialists.
• Systematic evaluation of manual dexterity is essential for assessing the suitability of assistive devices for this population.