Manual Dexterity Assessment Using a Nine-Hole Pegboard Test

Manual dexterity is the ability to use the hands in a coordinated way to grasp and manipulate objects and to demonstrate slight precise movement. This research aims to develop an outcome measurement unit (pegboard) that tells about timing information of the hand activity and the accountability of the pegs movement. This paper seeks to create an automated pegboard with the help of photo-interrupter sensors, Infrared sensors, microcontroller, and adequate circuitry to reduce human error in time calculation. This pegboard test consists of two methods to assess hand–eye coordination: (1) Insertion of the peg and (2) Removal of the pegs. ATmega 2560 microcontroller helps in interfacing the hardware model with the software. Photo-interrupter helps in sensing removal and insertion of the pegs inside the peg holes. An inbuilt timer calculates the activity period in milliseconds. Test sessions showed that the average time taken to complete the test rises as the age increases, indicating the loss of hand–eye coordination and increment in underlying neural-related conditions as the age increases.