Abstract

TORRES ESPINOSA, Leidy Y.; ORTIZ-CORREDOR, Fernando; ESLAVA SCHMALBACH, Javier H.  and  MENDOZA-PULIDO, Camilo. Validating and standardizing children's box and block test normal values. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2014, vol.16, n.3, pp.417-430. ISSN 0124-0064.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rsap.v16n3.35597.

Objective Evaluating gross motor skills forms part of a child's functional examination. The box and block test is a simple, useful method for evaluating upper limb functionality. This study was aimed at validating and standardising the test's normal values in 6 to 11 year-old Colombian children. Methods The test was used on 411 children from two schools in Bogotá catering for children different socioeconomic classes. A questionnaire directed towards parents and teachers was used for evaluating the children's performance on every-day life and school-related activities for validating the construct; correlation with the test was established. Results Data related to 386 children (55.4% male) was analysed; 67.9% of these children were attending a public school and 90.2% had right dominance. Average test score with the right hand was 60.9 and 57.8 with the left hand. Discussion Girls' average test scores were significantly higher. A table was constructed from (and showing) the average values, standard deviation and range of normality. A positive correlation was found regarding test result with age and every-day life activities and the teachers' appreciation of children's scholastic abilities. The test was reliable, having 0.84 intraclass correlation for the right hand and 0.83 for the left hand.

Keywords : Validation study; box and block test; motor skill; functionality; upper limb.

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