Application and adaptation of the Virtual Eggs Test for assessing hand dexterity in subjects with stroke: a pilot study

Objectives: To verify the feasibility of the Virtual Eggs Test (VET) and establish the ranges of fragilities of the Virtual Eggs (VEs) for assessing dexterity of stroke subjects and to collect feedback to improve its usability. Methods: An observational non-profit study, with a pre-market medical device. It was conducted at a hospital neurorehabilitation unit. Nine subjects with chronic stroke (5 males; mean age 55.8 ± 18.9) performed the pilot with their paretic arm. Time to complete the test (TT), the number of failures for each VE, the threshold (T), and participants’ self-reported comfort in performing the test were measured. Results: The T varied among participants from 1.70 to 4.88 N/N. The average TT was 20.1 ± 6.5 minutes (range 11-33). Only one subject found the test uncomfortable. Conclusions: The study found that the VET, with minor modifications, is feasible in stroke subjects. It might be useful for assessing sensorimotor impairment in both the affected and the less affected arm. Its metric properties and normative values in the healthy population will be determined in a study currently underway.