The effect of noise on manual dexterity

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of noise on manual dexterity.Method: A total of 127 subjects (74 [%58.27] female, 53 [%41.73] male) age between 18-30 years (X±SD=24.91±3.65 years) participated in our study. Subjects were divided into two groups with systematic sampling method. While one group performed placing and turning sub-tests of Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test with and then without noise exposure, the other group performed these tests without noise and then with noise exposure. Sub-tests were performed with dominant and non-dominant hands one by one. Paired and unpaired samples t-tests were used for analysis.Results: No significant difference was found between placing and turning sub-tests which were performed by dominant and non-dominant hands with and without noise exposure. (p>0.05). Placing and turning sub-tests time which were performed by dominant hand with and without noise exposure were significantly shorter than same sub-tests time which were performed by non-dominant hand with and without noise (p<0.05).Conclusion: No significant difference was found between manual dexterity test time which was performed with and without noise exposure. We have concluded that noise exposure doesn?t affect manual dexterity. Manual dexterity time performed with dominant hand was shorter than manual dexterity time performed with non-dominant hand and dominant hand?s manual dexterity was better than non-dominant hand?s manual dexterity.Key Words: noise, manual dexterity, performance, hand dominance.