Moberg Pick-Up Test (MPUT)

The Moberg Pick-Up Test (MPUT) is a standardized assessment tool designed to evaluate hand function, focusing on manual dexterity and functional sensibility. It is intended to be quick, simple, reproducible, and cost-effective in clinical practice¹

Target Population

The MPUT is useful for patients with hand-related conditions, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome²

• Inflammatory hand diseases

• Rheumatoid arthritis³⁴

• Osteoarthritis³

• Peripheral nerve injuries

It is applied in both neurological rehabilitation and as a tool to evaluate the effect of treatment or disease progression.

Method of Administration

Required Equipment

• 60 × 30 cm plastic board

• 3 × 8 × 5 cm plastic box

• 12 small metal objects:

  • Fine screw (5 cm)

  • Wide screw (2.3 cm)

  • Paper clips (3.3 cm and 2.8 cm)

  • Ring (1.4 cm)

  • Safety pin (3.8 cm)

  • Two small nuts

  • One wing nut

  • Coins (2.8 cm and 2.2 cm)

  • Key (5.5 cm)

• Stopwatch

Test Procedure

The test is carried out in two phases: first with eyes open, then with eyes closed. The dominant hand is always tested first.

1. The patient sits on a chair with the plastic board placed on the table.

2. The box is positioned on the board.

3. The 12 objects are randomly spread out near the dominant hand.

4. The patient is instructed to pick up each object one by one and place it in the box as quickly as possible without sliding the objects across the board.

5. Timing begins at “start” and ends when the last object is placed in the box.

6. Ambidextrous patients test the hand they spontaneously prefer first.

7. The test may also be performed in standing position if needed.

Scoring System

The outcome is measured as time (seconds) from start until the last object is placed in the box.

• Higher times = reduced dexterity and function.

• Can be performed with both eyes open and eyes closed.

Normative Values (seconds)⁶

Group	Eyes Open (Dominant)	Eyes Closed (Dominant)
Women 20–39 yrs	12.0	23.8
Men 20–39 yrs	12.3	22.5
Women 40–59 yrs	12.6	23.0
Men 40–59 yrs	16.5	27.8
Women 60+ yrs	16.0	27.8
Men 60+ yrs	16.8	29.9

Evidence

Reliability

• Test–retest reliability: α = 0.985²⁷

• Inter-rater reliability: Good to excellent in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatologic conditions³⁴.

Validity

• Clinically validated for rheumatic diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis³⁴⁷.

• Well-suited to evaluate the effect of surgery, rehabilitation, or occupational therapy interventions.

Clinical Relevance

The MPUT is a simple, cost-effective, and sensitive tool providing objective information about hand function. It is highly useful for:

• Tracking patient progress in hand-related conditions

• Supporting treatment planning

• Documenting the effect of surgical or therapeutic interventions

It also serves as a valuable supplement to other functional hand tests and patient-reported outcome measures.

Sources:

1. Santos-Eggimann B, Ballan K, Fustinoni S, Büla C. Measuring Slowness in Old Age: Times to Perform Moberg Picking-Up and Walking Speed Tests. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2020 May 11

2. Amirjani N, Ashworth NL, Olson JL, Morhart M, Ming Chan K. Discriminative validity and test–retest reliability of the Dellon‐modified Moberg pick‐up test in carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System. 2011 Mar;16(1):51-8.

3. Silva PG, Jones A, Fernandes AD, Natour J. Moberg Picking-Up Test in patients with hand osteoarthritis. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2017 Oct 1;30(4):522-8.

4. Stamm TA, Ploner A, Machold KP, Smolen J. Moberg picking‐up test in patients with inflammatory joint diseases: A survey of suitability in comparison with button test and measures of disease activity. Arthritis Care & Research: Official Journal of the American College of Rheumatology. 2003 Oct 15;49(5):626-32.

5. Moberg Pickup Test. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxr5c_Uh5ss&t=68s

6. Amirjani N, Ashworth NL, Gordon T, Edwards DC, Chan KM. Normative values and the effects of age, gender, and handedness on the Moberg Pick‐Up Test. Muscle & Nerve: Official Journal of the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. 2007 Jun;35(6):788-92.

7. D'souza SA, Kishan V. Moberg Pick-Up Test (Indian version): Test-retest Reliablity and Normative Values for Indian Adults of 30 to 60 years. Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2010 Sep 1;42(3).