Supine Timed Up and Go (S-TUG) Test
Procedure
One-leg standing balance Test
Procedure
Standing Long Jump Test
Equipment
Measuring tape Masking tape
Procedure
NIH Toolbox 9-hole pegboard Test
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Purpose
The NIH Toolbox 9-Hole Pegboard Test assesses fine motor dexterity or manipulation. Dexterity is a central component of hand function and relates to both the speed and accuracy of hand movements. The protocol includes one practice and one timed trial with each hand.
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Equipment
Jamar® (or Rolyan) 9-Hole Peg Test kit.
iPad (timer feature contained in the REDCap project for the task).
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Procedure
- Place the pegboard on the table, positioning it in front and at the centre of the child’s body with the tray on the right-hand side. The child should be seated with the table at waist level.
- The child should use the hand not being tested to stabilise the board. The assessor can also assist in stabilising the board by placing their hand over the child’s hand.
- Make sure the hand being tested is flat on the table (palm down) until the assessor says “Go”.
- Use a placemat or piece of rubber shelving to keep the pegboard from slipping on the table.
Instructions to say to child
Begin by saying: “In this activity we are going to see how fast you work with your hands. You are going to use your RIGHT hand first (point to hand if needed for understanding), and then you will do it again with your LEFT hand” (point to hand if needed).
Show the child the pegboard and say: “This is a pegboard, and these are the pegs. All the pegs are the same. Pick up the pegs one at a time using your RIGHT hand only (point to hand if needed). Put them in the holes one at a time until all 9 holes are filled. Then take them all out, one at a time, like this”.
The assessor demonstrates the task with their right hand and says as they are working: “The pegs can be put in the holes or taken out in any order. I have extra pegs, so if you drop a peg, don’t go after it. I’ll put in another one”.
Right Hand Practice:
Have the child start with his/her hand flat on table beside pegboard. Remind the child that the left hand should be used to stabilise board and continue: “Let’s practice with your RIGHT hand (point to hand if needed). You can use your other hand to hold the board in place”.
Say: “Are you ready? 3, 2, 1, Go!” Make sure to press the ‘START time’ as soon as you say “GO”.
As the child is placing the final peg, say: “And take them out”. Press the ‘Now’ button at the ‘END time’ to record the time as soon as the final peg is placed back in the cup.
Left Hand Practice:
Turn pegboard around so that the cup with the pegs is on the side of the LEFT hand.
Say: “Now we are going to do the same thing with your other hand. Again, pick up the pegs one at a time using only your LEFT hand (point to hand if needed). Put them in the holes, one at a time, until all 9 holes are filled. Then take them all out, one at a time. The pegs can be put in the holes or taken out in any order”
Have the child start with his/her left hand flat on table beside pegboard. Remind the child that their right hand can be used to stabilise the board and continue: “Let’s practice. Remember, you can use your other hand to hold the board in place”. Say: “Are you ready?
3, 2, 1, Go!” Make sure to press the ‘START time’ on the iPad as soon as you say “GO”. As the child is placing the final peg, say: “And take them out”. Press the ‘END time’ as soon as the final peg is placed back in the cup.
Handgrip Dynamometer Test
Purpose
The grip strength test is a measure of upper extremity strength. That is, the capacity of the hand and arm muscles to produce the tension and power necessary for maintaining posture, initiating movement, or controlling movement during conditions of loading the musculoskeletal system.
Equipment
Hand grip dynamometer
Procedure
Set-up:
The assessor turns the pulley gently in an anti-clockwise direction until the arrow indicator is pointed at zero.
The assessor should have the child holding the dynamometer in one hand and then adjust the grip range by turning the knob until the second joint of his/her forefinger is bent through 90 degrees. The child should stand upright and relaxed, extend his/her arms downward without touching the body.
Practice:
Each child is given 2 practice trials. The assessor resets the dynamometer (by turning the pulley gently in an anti-clockwise direction until the arrow indicator is pointed at zero) and asks the child to practice with the RIGHT hand first. The assessor should have the child squeezing the grip continuously with full force for at least 3 seconds without letting his/her arms touch their body. The child should not swing the dynamometer during the measurement. The second practice trial is with the LEFT hand. After both practice trials, the assessor resets the dynamometer for the formal trials.
Formal trials:
Each child is asked to perform two trials for each hand alternately, always starting with the RIGHT hand. During the testing, the assessor should encourage the child to grip harder and harder. After 3 seconds of each measurement, the assessor says: “Stop” and records the force in the kilogram’s unit (closest to 0.5 kg). The time between each trial is approximately 30 seconds. Record forces for the RIGHT and LEFT hand. The assessor turns off the dynamometer after completing the two trials.