Introduction of the Purdue Pegboard Test for fine assessment of severity of cervical myelopathy before and after surgery

Abstract

Purpose] To evaluate the severity of symptoms before and after cervical myelopathy surgery using the Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function. Because a test ceiling effect was observed in patients with less severe forms of myelopathy, we investigated the correlation between and accuracy of several different tests in order to clarify the usefulness of the Purdue Pegboard Test for evaluation of one or both hands. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-four patients (6 females and 28 males; mean age, 64.5 years) were examined, and scores were determined for each of the following tests: Purdue Pegboard Test; Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function; Japanese Orthopedic Association assessment; and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand assessment. Correlations between scores of different tests were then determined. The cut-off values used for the Purdue Pegboard Test and the Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function were determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to assess the use of chopsticks.[Results] The Purdue Pegboard Test assembly task correlated moderately with the Japanese Orthopedic Association and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the Purdue Pegboard Test cut-off value was 11 and the Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function cut-off value was 90.[Conclusion] The Purdue Pegboard Test is useful for evaluating manual dexterity and coordination in both hands in patients with cervical myelopathy.

Determination of the optimal cutoff values and validity of the Purdue Pegboard Test

“…Data presented in Table 2 supported our primary hypothesis that there is a weak and negative correlation between all subtests of the PPT and the DASH-T total scores. Similarly, Irie et al (2020) also demonstrated a low correlation between the PPT for both-hand tasks and the DASH in cervical myelopathy patients. Moreover, Proud et al (2020) reported a moderate relationship between 'on' phase pegboard dexterity and self-reported hand function scores.…”

“…The cutoff values of the PPT for cervical myelopathy before and after surgery were assessed. However, there is still a need to identify of the cutoff values of the PPT for orthopedic hand injuries (Irie et al, 2020).…”

Evaluation of Intervention Effectiveness of Sensory Compensatory Training with Tactile Discrimination Feedback on Sensorimotor Dysfunction of the Hand after Stroke

“…His simple test for evaluating hand function (STEF) [27], which quantitatively evaluates the ability to perform subtle hand movements, showed a score of 97/100 on the right hand and 5/100 on the left hand; he also scored low for the ability to carry objects. A Purdue pegboard test (peg test) [28], which measures rough hand movements and node manipulations, showed a median value of 1.5 ± 0.5 on the left-hand side.…”

“…Motor function evaluations of the top extremities included the FMA [26], STEF [27], and peg test [28]. The FMA has test items for shoulder/elbow/forearm, wrist, fingers, and coordination/speed, and it evaluates the overall motor function of the upper limb, including single and compound articulations of the upper limb, grasping of objects, coordinated movements of the upper limb, and motor speed of the upper limb.…”

“…This study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and the study was approved by the Kyoto Tachibana University Ethical Review Committee (Approval No. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. The purpose, content, and procedures of the study were fully explained to the participants orally and in writing, and their consent was obtained.…”