Test-retest reliability of the Purdue Pegboard test in drug on-phase for patients with Parkinson s disease

Introduction: Parkinson s disease (PD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which its onset is later in adults and it s incidence increases in people aged between 55 and 60 years. Dexterity, because of it s role at upper extremity function and person independency in function, is assessed in rehabilitation. Purdue- Pegboard test often is used in rehabilitation clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability and practice effects of the Purdue Pegboard test in persons with PD. Materials and Methods: 24 PD patients aging 50-89 of both sexes were non-randomly selected from rehabilitation clinics and hospitals of Tehran. A demographic questionnaire was used for documenting patient s general data and the Purdue pegboard test and a timer were used for determining of reliability. Each subtest was administered three times in a row. The time distance between test and retest was one week. Results: The relative reliability in repeated measures was above 90% in different items of Purdue pegboard test in single and mean of testes in off phase, thus indicates an excellent reliability. The absolute reliability (SEM) was lower than 10% of maximum obtained scores at each subtest in one and three trial of test that indicates acceptable errors of measurement. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that Purdue Pegboard test is enough reliable in evaluating a manual dexterity of Parkinson patients in drug on- phase.