Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT): Measuring Finger Dexterity

The Nine Hole Peg Test measures finger dexterity and hand coordination through a simple timed task. Therapists use it to track recovery in patients with stroke or Multiple Sclerosis.

Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) assessment PDF form for measuring finger dexterity
NHPT

Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT)

The Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) is a standard tool for measuring finger dexterity and hand function. Commonly used in rehabilitation, it tracks fine motor speed as patients place and remove pegs. It's a reliable way to monitor progress in conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis.

Category

Physical health
Rehabilitation
Movement System
Diagnostic

Disease

Assessment
Rehabilitation
Clinical Measurement

Source

(Mathiowetz et al., 1985)

Author Name

Kellor, M. et al. (1971)

What is Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT)

The Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) is a standard tool for measuring finger dexterity. It helps clinicians check fine motor skills in neurological care. This simple kit features a plastic or wooden board with nine holes and a container holding nine pegs. It is built to be portable and easy to clean for daily clinical use. Patients pick up pegs one at a time and place them into the holes as fast as they can, then remove them. The score relies on the time taken in seconds to finish the task with each hand, giving a clear metric for tracking hand function changes over time. Therapists use it widely for stroke recovery, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease assessments. It takes very little time to administer, making it perfect for busy clinics. The results help guide therapy plans and show if a patient is regaining their independence with daily tasks like buttoning a shirt.

NHPT Scoring

The Nine Hole Peg Test can be scored using two main approaches: 1. Time Duration: This standard method records the time in seconds required to place and remove all nine pegs. You test the dominant and non dominant hands separately, with a stopwatch measuring from the first touch to the last drop. Shorter times mean better finger dexterity. 2. Reciprocal Scoring: Researchers often calculate 1 divided by the time in seconds. This converts the data so higher scores reflect better function, making it easier to track changes in conditions like stroke or MS against normative data.

View scoring form

Advantages

Global standards

Meets international clinical assessment requirements.

Time-saving

Quick completion with minimal burden.

Outcome tracking

Measures healthcare intervention results systematically.

Reliable data

Provides consistent measurements for clinical research.

User-friendly

Simple to understand and complete for patients.

10
Minutes
9
Questions

Collect Nine Hole Peg Test data with WeGuide, the all in one patient engagement platform

Digitise your NHPT workflow and track manual dexterity over time. Securely capture data for better patient insights.

Support Your patient in no time - all under your own brand

Our platform combines the knowledge of 100+ digital health solutions built, letting you easily build your patient engagement app for research or clinical use. Collect PROMs, support patients on waiting lists, or gather vital signs data. This is how:

Learn More

Program Builder

Import your clinical or research protocol, upload your forms and and off you go.
Learn More
We Guide

Whitelabelling

Get your own app in the store and created a trusted environment for your patients or participants.
Learn More

Turn on components, dependent on your usecase

Setup Program Information, Collect Wearable data.
Learn More

Support The Full Journey

Use WeGuide to support your patients or participants in the full journey, starting from screening & consent to collecting recurring data for months to come..
Learn More

It’s your turn

Every WeGuide project, saves researchers and clinicians - 9 months and $450,000 - creating impactful digital health solutions.

By clicking organise a demo, you’re confirming that we can contact you to set up a demonstration.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again.
No items found.