Date Presented 03/22/24
This study examining the effect of age, gender and handedness of 218 healthy adults, adds to the limited worldwide normative data on the Moberg Pick-Up Test, and challenges findings from previous studies regarding gender differences.
Primary Author and Speaker: Tal Mazor-Karsenty
Additional Authors and Speakers: Danit Langer
PURPOSE: The Moberg Pick-Up Test (MPUT) is a standardized test for determining the functional ability of the hand. There is limited knowledge regarding normative data of the MPUT worldwide, and none at all in relation to Israeli adults. To enable accurate interpretation of assessment measures normative reference values should align with the demographic and cultural characteristics of the individual tested. Study goals examined the effect of age, gender and handedness on performance of the MPUT in healthy Israeli adults.
DESIGN & METHOD: Prospective, cross-sectional study of 218 adults recruited through quota sampling, 20-86 yrs. of age (M=49, SD=17), 56% females. 94% right-hand dominant. Volunteers were screened for any health conditions. Eligible participants completed a demographic questionnaire followed by the MPUT - a standardized assessment measuring: speed of picking up small items with vision and vision-occluded for dominant (DH) and non-dominant hand (NDH); object recognition for DH and NDH. One-way ANOVA was used to compare picking up and recognition speed between age groups. Post hoc Tukey comparisons were conducted. To compare between men and women an independent sample t-test was used.
RESULTS: A significant main effect for age was obtained in both men and women for all tests (p<0.05) with young adults being the fastest and older adults the slowest. No significant difference between men and women was found for all subtests, contrary to previous reports.
CONCLUSION: This pioneering study presents adult normative data for the MPUT in an Israeli cohort. It adds to the limited worldwide normative data, and challenges findings from previous studies regarding gender differences. Intact hand function is crucial for occupational performance in all occupational areas. The use of normative values established based on age and gender is a valuable objective tool for OTs treating clients with various hand disorders.
References
Amirjani, N., Ashworth, N. L., Gordon, T., Edwards, D. C., & Chan, K. M. (2007). Normative values and the effects of age, gender, and handedness on the Moberg Pick‐Up Test. Muscle & Nerve, 35(6), 788-792.
Ng, C. L., Ho, D. D., & Chow, S. P. (1999). The Moberg pickup test: results of testing with a standard protocol. Journal of Hand Therapy, 12(4), 309-312.
