Measurements

Occupational therapists often measure client's range of motion (ROM) and strength in order to assess joint and muscle function. ROM is the amount of motion available at a joint and can either be measured with active range of motion (AROM) or passive rang of motion (PROM). AROM involves the client using his or her own muscle strength, and PROM is achieved with an external force, like a therapist stretching the client. Strength is usually evaluated with a manual muscle test (MMT).

A client's ROM tells the therapist the client's available motion at a joint. ROM at particular joints can affect a client's functionality when engaging in activities of daily living (ADLs). Proper body position and palpating bony landmarks is important to ensure accurate results and provides intrarater and interrater reliability. A client's progress or regression can also be measured when using the same body positions and bony landmarks.

MMT helps determine weak muscles and data collection. "Test position" in MMT is the position in which the muscle is placed in for optimal muscle contraction. "Test position" will give the therapist the best score of a client's muscle strength. In most cases, mid ROM is the optimal position for MMT. Using the same "test position" also helps intrarater and interrater reliability.

Gravity eliminated position eliminates the resistance of gravity when measuring strength. This position is used when a client is too weak to perform against gravity, but allows the therapist to still get a MMT score.

By keeping these concepts in mind, a therapist is able to evaluate a client and create a treatment plan individualized for each client. It also allows consistency when more than one therapist treats the same client.