Development, Measurement Properties and Reference Values of the Upper Extremity Motor Coordination Test: A New Motor Coordination Test of the Upper Limbs

Background and purpose: To develop a new test to assess the motor coordination of the upper limbs, and to investigate the test-retest and inter-rater reliability, construct validity, standard error of measurement (SEM), minimum detectable change (MDC), and the reference values.

Methods: The Upper Extremity Motor Coordination Test (UEMOCOT)was applied for 20 s, with the individual touching two targets (one right and one left) as quickly as possible, first with the hand (manual task) and then with the index finger (finger task). To test-retest reliability, the UEMOCOT was administered two times. To ensure inter-rater reliability, the test was scored simultaneously by two assessors. For convergent construct validity, the Box and Block Test (BBT) and the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) were applied. Reference values were established according to sex, age, and limb side (dominant/non-dominant).

Results: Inter-rater and test-retest reliability, for both tasks and limbs, were good with all the intraclass correlation coefficient above 0.90. Regarding convergent construct validity, the UEMOCOT manual task, for both sides, correlated moderately with BBT (0.59 ≤ r ≤ 0.64; p < 0.01), while the UEMOCOT finger task, for both sides, correlated moderately with NHPT (-0.57 ≤ r ≤ -0,58; p < 0.01). The SEM values were adequate, and the MDC for manual and finger tasks were 11/8 and 6/6 (dominant/non-dominant), respectively. Young people, men, and the dominant limb showed higher scores, indicating better coordination.

Discussion: The results showed that UEMOCOT is valid and reliable for assessing the motor coordination of the upper limbs, with adequate SEM values and MDC values ranging from 6 to 11. Finally, UEMOCOT reference values were established according to sex, age, and upper limb side.