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)
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
Disease
Source
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.
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.
Advantages
Meets international clinical assessment requirements.
Quick completion with minimal burden.
Measures healthcare intervention results systematically.
Provides consistent measurements for clinical research.
Simple to understand and complete for patients.
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