Our physical and occupational therapy faculty are available to assess basic variables of interest in body structure and function, such as:
1. Muscle strength is the amount of force you can exert in individual or synergist muscle groups. We can assess this through:
- Manual muscle testing
- Hand and pinch strength can be assessed by the Jamar dynamometer and pinch meters.
- Leg strength can be measured functionally through special tests that look at functional movements such as 5x Sit to Stands.
2. Range of Motion is the amount of movement available in any given joint. We assess this through:
- Goniometric measurements
- Defining characteristics of the joint capsule
3. Sensation is the process by which our sensory organs respond to external stimuli. We can assess sensation across the body through:
- Threshold tests of sensation (hot/cold, sharp/dull, light touch, deep pressure, vibration)
- Discriminative tests of sensation (2-point discrimination, stereognosis, kinesthesia)
- Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test
For more information, contact Lynn Jeffries, Department Vice Chair