Mobile Nine-Hole Peg Test application in healthy older adults: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction/Background: Hand functions slow down with aging. Hand functionality evaluation is important in defining the skill level in daily life activities and revealing the effectiveness of rehabilitation and role skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hand functionality of healthy older people by using the Mobile Nine-Hole Peg Test (M-NHPT). Methods: Dominant and non-dominant hand functionality of 15 participants were evaluated with M-NHPT. The Standardized Mini-Mental Test was used to determine their cognitive levels and participants’ functionality levels were examined by Duruöz Hand Index. Results: M-NHPT dominant and non-dominant sides were moderately correlated with NHPT (p<0.05) and non-dominant side with the Duruöz Hand Index (p<0.05). Discussions: M-NHPT is a valid and reliable method used to evaluate hand functions and fine motor skills. It was obtained that there was a significant relationship between M-NHPT and functionality. Using mobile applications could be an easy, cheap and accessible assessment method for the hand functionality evaluation in older adults. Conclusions: Future studies involving more elderly adults could clarify the effectiveness and reliability of M-NHPT with programs focused on examining the dexterity and functionality of older adults.

Keywords

• dexterity
• functionality
• mobile
• nhpt
• older adults