Effects of Prior Use of Chopsticks on Two Different Types of Dexterity Tests: Moving Beans Test and Purdue Pegboard

Abstract

The Purdue Pegboard and Moving Beans with Tweezers test have been used in the rehabilitation of persons with nervous system disorders; however, these two tests differ in their methodology. In the latter test, the testee picks up items with chopsticks or tweezers, but in the former test, the testee grasps items directly with the fingers of one hand. Use experience of a tool may strongly influence performance. The present study examined the use of chopsticks in daily life on performance of the two tests of finger dexterity by two groups of 20 youths who habitually used chopsticks to eat and 20 who did not. Three 30-sec. trials with the dominant and nondominant hands were given. Analysis of variance gave a main effect for number of beans moved between the two groups, hand (nondominant vs dominant), and trials. Significantly more beans were moved by the group with prior chopsticks use than the nonusers by the dominant hand than the nondominant hand, and on Trials 2 and 3 than Trial 1. For the Purdue Pegboard, the only significant difference for trials showed fewer pegs moved on Trial 1 than Trial 3. In conclusion, the groups who habitually used chopsticks performed better on the Moving Beans with Tweezers test than the group without such experience. Also, the marked laterality and practice effects for chopstick users was not observed on the Purdue Pegboard.