Box and Block Test
Need to assess your patient's hand functions and finger dexterity? Then use the Box and Block Test to assess them! It’s one of the easiest tests to administer, not to mention one of the most inexpensive!
Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.
What is the Box and Block Test?
is a reliable test that physical therapists and the like can administer as part of their practice. It’s simple to use and doesn’t cost much because these are the only things you need to conduct it:
- A wooden box that has two containers (each container should be able to fit 150 blocks)
- 150 wooden blocks (2.5cm in size) in one container
- A partition to separate the containers of the box
- A stopwatch
The patient must transfer the blocks, one at a time, to the empty container. The test will go for 60 seconds, and the goal is to see how a patient can use their hands and fingers to grip small objects. This test is meant to be administered to patients with impaired motor functions, specifically the arms, hands, and fingers. The Box and Block Test is especially beneficial if neurological disorders like stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, and more impair these functions.
Printable Box and Block Test
Download this Box and Block Test and assess the hand dexterity of your clients.
How to use the Box and Block Test:
Prepare the materials.
Make sure to have the materials mentioned above ready. Set them up on a table, and then have the patient sit down in front of it. Sit on the opposite side since you want a good view of them doing the test.
Instruct the patient and demonstrate the test.
Once the materials are ready and you and your patient are seated on opposite sides of the table, it’s time for you to demonstrate the test to the patient:
- All the patient needs to do is transfer the blocks on one of the containers to the empty one. They can only pick up one block one by one
- One block is equal to one point. The point only counts if they pick up a block and move it over the partition and into the empty container
- If they carry multiple blocks at a time, it only counts as 1 point, and only if they move them over the partition
- The test will run for 60 seconds. They just need to move as many blocks as they can. As soon as you say GO, the test starts. Make sure that you activate your stopwatch as soon as you say GO
- Let them start with the dominant hand, then another test with their non-dominant hand
Let them do a 15-second practice test.
After demonstrating the test to them, give them a 15-second trial test just to get them going.
Have them do the test proper.
After the 15-second trial test, let them rest for 30 seconds, then have them do two tests: the first one using their dominant hand, and then one more but with their non-dominant hand.
Count the scores and make a care plan.
The patient’s score is equivalent to the number of blocks they could transfer in 60 seconds. Do note that there are no specific score designations, but the higher the number of boxes transferred, the better conditioning and dexterity their arms, hands, and fingers have.
These are the average scores of different populations:
- Quite healthy men between the ages of 20 to 80 are able to transfer, on average, 77 blocks with their right hands, 75 with their left
- Men with normal health aged 60+ are able to transfer 61 to 70 blocks on average with either hand
- Quite healthy women between the ages of 20 to 80 are able to transfer, on average, 78 blocks with their right hands, and 76 with their left
- Women with normal health aged 60+ are able to transfer 63 to 76 blocks using either hand
Make sure to count for both the dominant and non-dominant hands.
The scores should help you figure out what goes into your care plan, but we also recommend including results from other physical tests. This is so you can cover enough bases when making your care plan.
Box and Block Test Example
Now that you know how to administer the test, we want to show you what a Box and Block Test sheet normally looks like. Here, in this filled-out Box and Block Test sample sheet, you will see the list of equipment that you need, how the instructions are laid out, and what the score-recording section looks like:
Not only is administering the test easy, but the test sheet is also clean and straightforward! If you like what you see here and you think it’s best to include it in your roster of physical therapy assessments, then feel free to download a printable Box and Block Test.
Download this Box and Block Test Example (Sample) here:
When does one use the Box and Block Test?
The Box and Block Test is best used when you are at the stage with your patients where you have to assess their motor functions. When you are at the point where you need to devise a care plan for them, you need to assess their current capabilities because you will need a glimpse of what they can do. You will have to consider their current capabilities when creating your plan.
It’s also best to administer this on the same day as other physical exams. The Box and Block Test alone may not be sufficient, so it is best to include this as part of the roster of tests you give to patients to get better results that will help you make better-informed decisions.
It’s also recommended to administer this several times during the course of the patient’s treatment to properly monitor any improvements or worsening conditions, as well as if your care plan is working or if it needs some adjustments.
Who uses the Box and Block Test and for whom is it?
The Box and Block Test was created to assess a patient's motor functions, specifically their arms, hands, and finger dexterity, especially if the patient has a neurological disorder or ailment like stroke, cerebral palsy, etc.
Since this is used primarily in rehabilitation facilities and programs, the healthcare practitioners that can use this are physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and their staff. Anyone specializing in related fields can include this in their work.
.png)
Why use Carepatron for physical therapy software?
If you are a physical therapist or an adjacent healthcare practitioner, then maybe you would like to know that Carepatron has a massive roster of worksheets, assessments, and much more! Physical therapy is also covered!
From the Nine-Hole Peg Test to the Timed Up and Go Test, we have numerous documents you might like to add to your roster of tools, such as the Box and Block Test we just introduced. If you like what you see, feel free to use them for your work! We recommend that you use all of our physical therapy assessments for your patients so you can cover numerous bases and develop a well-rounded care plan.
Using our platform does not just give you access to these documents, but also our super secure storage system! If you would like, you may store your documents via our platform in a HIPAA-compliant manner! Let’s say you have filled out Box and Block Test sheets and would like to store them somewhere safe; then our platform is a wonderful option because you’ll technically make a digital backup of your score records!
Storing them through us makes it secure (because you can set up who can access them) and easily accessible anytime, anywhere, on any capable device as long as you have an internet connection.
Convenience. Accessibility. Security. You get all three with Carepatron.
.png)
Commonly asked questions
You should finish between 1-5 minutes. Since this particular test sheet asks you to evaluate both hands and each test takes 60 seconds, you should roughly finish the whole thing in 3 minutes, including scoring.
Yes! You may definitely use this test, but of course, you are going to adjust it in a way that the test supports the use of the prosthetic arm or whatever aid they have. Your care plan also has to take that into account.
It depends. It is totally enough so long as the only motor functions that have impairments are the arms, hands, and fingers. If your patient has other issues, then this test is not enough and should be conducted on the same day as other tests that may help (that is up for you to decide), like the Nine-Hole Peg Test, Timed Up and Go Test, etc. This is so you have a more informed expert’s opinion and a well-round view of your patient.
