Effect of different body positions on manual dexterity in clinical nurses

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of posture on psychomotor efficiency using Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and to compare the effect of different postures on psychomotor efficiency using Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT).

A prospective non randomized comparative study design.

Healthy nurses in age group of 20–40 years.

Manual dexterity was tested using Purdue Pegboard Test.

The result showed a better dexterity in sitting position in all the four tasks (mean and standard deviation of RHT was 18.50 ± 1.872; for LHT it was 16.52 ± 1.772;for BHT it was 14.29 ± 1.415, for AT it was 39.00 ± 6.176), comparatively lesser in standing (mean and standard deviation of RHT was 17.73 ± 1.830;for LHT it was 15.82 ± 1.684, for BHT it was 13.64 ± 1.621; and for AT it was 36.38 ± 8.006) while least in waist bent position (mean and standard deviation of RHT was 16.70 ± 1.761, for LHT it was 15.16 ± 2.131; for BHT it was 12.71 ± 1.784; and for AT it was 33.57 ± 8.381). Similar results were seen for the comfort level of the positions with sitting as most comfortable and easy while waist bent position was most painful with least comfort and easy level.

The result of this study shows dexterity is strongly related with posture and its comfort ability. Change in posture produces a change in dexterity in a significant manner. Positions such as waist bent are both uncomfortable as well as provide less dexterity whereas sitting positions proves to be comfortable as well as imparts better dexterity. Thus sitting position should be considered as the preferred position wherever possible by the clinical nurses, so as to improve dexterity and perform functions skillfully.