Manual dexterity training
Manual dexterity training has been studied in 2 papers since 2023: 2 trials in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Jan 24, 2026: “Manual Dexterity Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease and Paranoid Schizophrenia: A Controlled Study”.
2 papers study it6 findingsUpdated
See all 2 papers on manual dexterity training
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 2 independent labs in 2 countries.
“Only the intervention group showed a significant improvement in Stroop interference (169.0-108.9 ms, p = 0.032)”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funders: Center of Innovation Program and 4 more
- Human trial2
Studies in people
2 studies gave manual dexterity training to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Improves fine motor performancep < 0.001, η2 = 0.45-0.76 no change: Has no effect on complex sequential assembly performance | Trial40 weeks | 30 peopleParkinson's disease or paranoid schizophrenia | Life (Basel, Switzerland), Jan 24, 2026 |
down: Decreases stroop interference up: Improves purdue Pegboard assembly task performance | Randomized trial12 weeks | 57 peoplefemale, n = 43; male, n = 1765-88 yearsAdults aged > 65 years who were right-handed, had no color blindness, had no physician-imposed exercise restrictions, and were not involved in any experimental research during the past year | European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity, Apr 22, 2023 |
What did studies of manual dexterity training find?
4Studies of manual dexterity training measured 4 outcomes; the most studied are purdue Pegboard assembly task performance (1 study), stroop interference (1) and complex sequential assembly performance (1).
Purdue Pegboard assembly task performance
upin humans1
1 study
Purdue Pegboard assembly task performance
upin humans1
Manual dexterity training improves purdue Pegboard assembly task performance in humans.
“The assembly task showed significant effects of time (p < 0.001) and interaction (p = 0.006).”
Human trial12 weeks
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Manual dexterity training improves purdue Pegboard assembly task performance in humans (healthy) (22.5-26.4 counts, p < 0.001).
“an executive function and assembly task of the Purdue Pegboard Test (22.5-26.4 counts, p < 0.001)”
Human trialhealthy12 weeksn = 57
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Stroop interference
downin humans1
1 study
Stroop interference
downin humans1
Manual dexterity training decreases stroop interference in humans.
“Stroop interference showed significant effects of interaction (p = 0.025).”
Human trial12 weeks
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Manual dexterity training decreases stroop interference in humans (healthy) (169.0-108.9 ms, p = 0.032).
“Only the intervention group showed a significant improvement in Stroop interference (169.0-108.9 ms, p = 0.032)”
Human trialhealthy12 weeksn = 57
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Complex sequential assembly performance
no changein humans1
1 study
Complex sequential assembly performance
no changein humans1
Manual dexterity training showed no clear effect on complex sequential assembly performance in humans (Parkinson's disease or paranoid schizophrenia).
“No significant between-group differences were observed for complex sequential assembly tasks.”
Human trialParkinson's disease or paranoid schizophrenia40 weeksn = 30
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
Fine motor performance
upin humans1
1 study
Fine motor performance
upin humans1
Manual dexterity training improves fine motor performance in humans (Parkinson's disease or paranoid schizophrenia) (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.45-0.76).
“The EG showed significantly greater improvements than the CG in thumb opposition, psychomotor processing speed, and unilateral and bilateral fine motor performance (p < 0.001 for all)”
Human trialParkinson's disease or paranoid schizophrenia40 weeksn = 30
Life (Basel, Switzerland)