Box and Blocks Test

Box and Blocks Test
Purpose	Assessing manual dexterity

The Box and Blocks Test is a widely used clinical assessment tool designed to measure the manual dexterity of individuals. It is particularly useful in evaluating the upper limb function of patients with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. The test is simple to administer and provides quantitative data that can be used to track changes in dexterity over time.

History

The Box and Blocks Test was developed in 1985 by Patricia M. Mathiowetz and her colleagues. It was designed to provide a standardized method for assessing manual dexterity in both clinical and research settings. Since its inception, the test has been extensively used in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation medicine.

Test Description

The test apparatus consists of a rectangular box divided into two compartments by a partition. One compartment is filled with 150 wooden blocks, each measuring 2.5 cm on each side. The test is performed by asking the participant to move as many blocks as possible from one compartment to the other within a 60-second period using one hand.

Procedure

1. The participant is seated at a table with the test apparatus placed in front of them. 2. The participant is instructed to use one hand to move the blocks, while the other hand is kept still. 3. The test is conducted separately for each hand. 4. The participant is given a brief practice period before the timed trial begins. 5. The number of blocks successfully transferred from one compartment to the other in 60 seconds is recorded.

Scoring

The score is the total number of blocks moved from one compartment to the other within the allotted time. Higher scores indicate better manual dexterity.

Clinical Applications

The Box and Blocks Test is used in various clinical settings to assess the manual dexterity of patients with conditions such as:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Cerebral palsy

It is also used in research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions aimed at improving upper limb function.

Advantages

• Simple and quick to administer
• Requires minimal equipment
• Provides objective, quantitative data
• Can be used with a wide range of populations

Limitations

• May not fully capture the complexity of hand function in daily activities
• Performance can be influenced by factors such as motivation and fatigue

Also see

• Nine Hole Peg Test
• Purdue Pegboard Test
• Jebsen Hand Function Test
• Manual dexterity