Outcome measurement tools are specific tests and measures that your physical therapist may use to quantify your overall function.
These tools are important, as they provide your therapist with a simple and effective way to measure yourmobility.
Purpose
Functional outcome measurement tools may serve many purposes.
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. / Getty Images
He or she may measure your strength and range of motion.
Balance and posture may be assessed as well.
But functional outcome measures are also important to help track your progress in physical therapy.
Effective functional outcome measurement tools must meet certain criteria to be useful in the physical therapy clinic.
They must also be valid.
The validity of an outcome measurement test means that it measures exactly what it is intended to measure.
An effective outcome measurement test must also be easy to administer.
Your physical therapist is likely quite busy, so the test must be practical and simple to perform.
Outcome measurement tools must also be purposeful.
A test of your balance must reflect your current function related to your balance ability.
(A TUG score at or more than 10 seconds indicates reduced physical capacity.
)And nothing may motivate you more than reaching for that goal and hitting it out of the ballpark.
If you attend physical therapy, be sure to inquire about your therapist’s use of functional outcome measurements.
American Physical Therapy Association.Outcome Measures in Patient Care.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Timed Up & Go Assessment.
