INFLUENCE OF SITTING ORIENTATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY FUNCTION IN NORMAL CHILDREN BETWEEN 5 TO 16 YEARS USING NINE HOLE PEG TEST

Abstract

Background: This study was to measure the upper extremity performance time on Nine Hole Peg Test in two different sitting orientations relative to vertical plane. Aim: To find out the influence of sitting orientation on upper extremity motor function using NHPT. Methods: 100 children with the mean age 11year (53 male, 47 female) participated in the study. Children were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Age groups were re-established for data representation purposes as: 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16. Each one was briefly interviewed prior to the test, procedure explained and statistical analysis was done for the final results. Results : Gender wise relation revealed non-significant difference in performance time on NHPT in 90 0 upright and 15 0 anterior sitting orientation. Performance time on NHPT with dominant and non-dominant hand in 90 0 upright & 15 0 anterior sitting orientation shows significant difference. The mean performance time with dominant hand on NHPT was slightly lesser in 15 0 anterior sitting orientation than 90 0 upright orientations. According to age wise distribution the performance time on NHPT reveals that as the age increases the performance time decreases from 5-11 year. The performance time becomes constant from 11-16 years of age. Conclusion: Result of this study suggest that trunk orientation does not affect upper extremity performance on NHPT. As it implies that 15 0 anterior trunk orientation is equivalent to upright sitting orientation. Hence both the trunk orientation can be used to train patients for upper extremity hand function.