Functional assessment measures an individual's ability to perform tasks over time. It is important in physiotherapy to develop treatment plans. Current measures include impairment tests of body parts, self-report measures of pain and function, and physical performance measures integrating multiple abilities. Physical performance measures are increasingly used and compare to impairment tests which measure isolated components. Future directions include investigating combinations of assessments to best predict function and injury, and considering psychological and social factors. Research with long-term studies is still needed.

1. Functional
Assessment
RABEYA SULTANA MIM
(182408)

2. 1.a)What is functional Assessment?
b) What are the importance of functional assessment in Physiotherapy Practice?
a)Answer: Functional assessment measures an individuals level of function and ability to
perform functional or work related tasks on a safe and dependable basis over a defined period
of time. Assessment should include an examination consisting of a pertinent clinical history,
behaviors that might impact physical performance, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
functional testing, and an assessment of effort.

3. b) Answer: Physiotherapy focuses on the restoration and maintenance of mobility and movement
of the whole body. It can be a beneficial component in the treatment in everything from acute
athletic trauma or repetitive strain injuries, to disease and the effects of aging on the body. A
thorough physiotherapy assessment is important to the treatment’s success. An assessment acts
as a diagnostic tool and leads to the development of individualized treatment plans.
The present literature review on functional assessment in physiotherapy was carried out for the
following reasons:
1) to identify the functional instruments used in the field of physiotherapy that were supported
by published evidence of their psychometric qualities.
2) to investigate how these instruments relate to the International Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health (ICF)
3) to investigate the use of functional instruments in the financing of physiotherapy.

4. 2)Write the Current Measures of Functional Assessment.
Answer: Function is measured in a number of different ways currently, including :
1. impairment measures
2. self-report measures
3. physical performance measures (PPMs).
Impairment-based measures
Impairments are defined as a dysfunction or a significant structural abnormality in a specific body part or
system. Findings of impaired joint mobility, motor function, muscle performance, range-of-motion (ROM),
and sensation are considered problems that are limited to the impairment level. These impairments, alone
or in combination, can contribute to limited function and ultimately may have consequences for physical
functioning. For example, impaired humeral head inferior translation can contribute to the inability of a
person to comb their hair due to mechanical shoulder impingement pain. Restricted ROM at the hip may
lead to a limp during gait.

5. Self-report measures
Self-report measures are common methods of having the patient assess their pain and
function. Self-report measures involve careful evaluation of instrument reliability,
responsiveness, and validity and much work has been dedicated towards the development
of these tools. Nearly all body regions or conditions have dedicated self-report functional
measures that have been created.
PPMs
PPMs have become increasingly popular methods of measuring specific characteristics of
function, especially in post-injury assessment, determining fall risks and sports
performance/injury prediction

6. 3.What are the Needs for Functional Performance Testing (FPT)?
Answer: Instrumentation needs for FPT are given below:
A. General: Testing equipment shall be of sufficient quality and accuracy to test and/or measure
system performance with tolerances specified. Equipment shall be calibrated according to
manufacturer’s recommended intervals. Calibration tags shall be affixed or certificates readily
available.
B. Standard Testing Instrumentation: Standard instrumentation normally used for performance
assessment and diagnosis will be provided by CA. These include:
1. Electronic Manometer (for Air and Flow Hood)
2. Electronic Manometer (for Water)
3. Temperature Instruments and Gages
4. Humidity Instrument and Gage
5. CO2 Instrument
6. Electronic Multimeter
7. Receptacle Tester
8. Tachometer
9. Belt Tensioner
10. Ultrasonic Flow Meter.
C. Special Tools: Special equipment, tools and instruments (only available from vendor, specific to
a piece of equipment) required for testing equipment, according to these Contract Documents shall
be included in base bid price to Contractor and provided to Owner

7. •Trunk endurance testing
•Movement patterns
•Excursion reach testing
•Jumping tests
•Hopping tests
•Strength testing
•Power testing
•Aerobic endurance testing in multiple planes
of movement
•Lifting tests
•Balance/proprioceptive testing in multiple
planes of movement
•Medicine ball throws
•Softball throw for distance
•Speed, agility, and quickness testing
•Muscle performance (primarily includes
manual muscle testing)
•Motor function
•ROM (including muscle length)
•Joint integrity and mobility
•Sensory integrity
•Reflex integrity
•Posture
•Pain
•Peripheral nerve integrity
•Gait, locomotion, and balance
•Aerobic capacity/endurance
Impairment tests (isolated components) PPMs (integrating components of impairment testing)
4.What are the physical performance measures (PPMs) compared to isolated components of
functional tests utilized in neuro-musculoskeletal testing?
Answer: Here, PPMs = physical performance measures
PPMs compared to isolated components of functional tests utilized in musculoskeletal testing

8. 5.a)What are the Limitations of FPT and Future? b)What are the Directions in the Assessment of
Function?
a)Answer: Limitations:
Not unlike normal objective and clinical special tests for musculoskeletal dysfunction, FPT has limitations.
1.Incorporating clusters of PPMs, or specific aspects of an individual patient’s functional requirements,
presumably more accurately indicates their current level of function. While these types of tests do exist, thei
worth is uncertain.
2. Functional capacity evaluations are measurement tools created to assist in determining safe, tolerable
levels of function and for predicting when an individual is ready to return to work duties. Manual handling,
including lifting and carrying, has been described as the primary determinant for rating a job’s physical
demands. It has been argued though that lifting capacity may not have much to do with subsequent injury
or even job success.
3.Additionally, the findings of spine ROM and muscle strength have little relationship with future LBP.
4.Trunk muscle endurance, on the other hand, has demonstrated some predictive value of future episodes o
back pain, suggesting that the capacity to perform repetitive prolonged work may be more closely linked to
muscle endurance .Trunk endurance testing, as described above, is more likely an assessment of physical
performance versus function as it does not mimic any movement of function in sport or the work place.

9. Future
the future investigation of function and the use of FPT is to investigate the entire concept of
function assessment as proposed to determine which combination of these assessments is most
predictive of function success and future injury prediction. Deficiencies exist in each
examination procedure of function outlined in the chart.
The psychological and social effects of a patient’s function have increasingly warranted
investigation. One potential suggestion for investigation is determining if the potential exists
for clustering of FPT scores, similar to what is currently investigated with special testing, in
order to define those athletes/patients at greater risk. Determining the relationship among
these different variables is a complex task, one that will most likely require interaction among
multiple disciplines.

10. b)What are the Directions in the Assessment of Function?
Answer:
The Directions in the Assessment of Function are:
1.A patient’s function have increasingly warranted investigation. One potential suggestion for
investigation is determining if the potential exists for clustering of FPT scores, similar to what is currently
investigated with special testing, in order to define patients at greater risk. Determining the relationship
among these different variables is a complex task, one that will most likely require interaction among
multiple disciplines.
2.Increased emphasis on research with necessary long-term studies is required to determine its best
applicability