Targeted box and blocks test: Normative data and comparison to standard tests

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Science
• Motor Control

Background:

• The Box and Block Test (BBT) is a widely used, efficient, and reliable functional outcome measure.
• Standard BBT benefits include ease of implementation, objective measurement, and repetitive motion analysis.
• Existing BBT limitations include lower ecological validity in simulating real-world object manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce a novel outcome measure, the targeted BBT.
• Enhance the ecological validity of the BBT for studying object manipulation.
• Analyze initiation, grasping, transport, and release phases of object handling.

Main Methods:

• 19 able-bodied subjects performed the targeted BBT and two standard tests.
• Utilized an integrated movement analysis framework with motion capture and ground force data.
• Quantified kinematic parameters (wrist, elbow, shoulder, thorax, head) and postural control.

Main Results:

• The targeted BBT demanded significantly greater Range of Motion (RoM) at the elbow, shoulder, thorax, and head compared to standard tests.
• Peak joint angles were higher in the targeted BBT.
• Targeted BBT RoM and peak angles approximated those observed in activities of daily living.

Conclusions:

• The targeted BBT enables analysis of repetitive movements with enhanced ecological validity.
• This modified test may better model real-world object manipulation scenarios.
• It allows detailed study of movement control from object pick-up to release.