Psychometrics of dominant right hand during the 9-hole PEG test: differences between PEG placement and removal.
OBJECTIVE
To assess psychometrics of hand dominance during the 9-Hole Peg Test.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy volunteers (23-40 years of age, 10 female and 6 male subjects, all fortuitously right handed).


METHODS
As is conventional protocol, the total time to perform the task was recorded as a dexterity index. In addition, the relative distance between points (distal phalanges) on the index finger and thumb was continuously monitored by the use of a magnetic sensing system. Time required, mean values for peak distance, and cumulative total motion distance were analyzed separately for the peg-placement and peg-removal phases. Data for dominant and nondominant hands were compared by the use of paired t-tests (P < .05).


RESULTS
Total time to perform the 9-Hole Peg Test was shorter for the dominant hands (mean, 18.65 seconds) than the nondominant hands (mean, 20.11 seconds). During the peg-placement phase, lower values for peak distance, cumulative total motion distance, and time required were recorded for dominant hands, suggesting more efficient movement. By contrast, during peg-removal phase, no statistically significant differences between dominant- and nondominant-hand values were apparent.


CONCLUSIONS
Although healthy subjects perform the 9-Hole Peg Test more efficiently using their dominant hands, the difference in measured dexterity was observed only during the peg-placement phase. This discrepancy between the peg-placement and peg-removal efficiency suggests the need for phase discrimination in future studies.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nishinomiya Kyoritsu Neurosurgical Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan. ytkoyama@bd6.sonet.ne.jp
Tetsuo
T
Koyama
Kazuhisa
K
Domen
Masaru
M
Yokoe
Saburo
S
Sakoda
Akihiko
A
Kandori
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011594:Psychometrics; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult