The Purdue Pegboard: norms for 14- to 19-year-olds

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• The Purdue Pegboard is a standard test for assessing fine motor skills and finger dexterity.
• Establishing age- and sex-specific normative data is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
• Adolescent development involves significant changes in fine motor control and dexterity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collect normative data for the Purdue Pegboard test in adolescents aged 14 to 19 years.
• To provide reference values for evaluating finger dexterity in this age group.
• To support clinical decision-making in rehabilitation and occupational therapy.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 176 individuals aged 14-19 years from the Milwaukee area participated.
• The Purdue Pegboard test, a measure of finger dexterity, was administered.
• Three trials were conducted for each participant to ensure reliable data collection.

Main Results:

• Females outperformed males on three of the four Purdue Pegboard subtests.
• Suburban participants scored higher than urban participants on two of the four subtests.
• A positive correlation was observed between age and Purdue Pegboard scores, indicating improved dexterity with age.

Conclusions:

• The collected normative data allow for comparison of patient scores against age- and sex-matched peers.
• These norms assist in identifying deficits in finger dexterity and guiding therapy.
• The findings aid in setting appropriate treatment goals for adolescents with dexterity impairments.