Title: Functional assessment – PM&R KnowledgeNow
Headings: Functional assessment
Functional assessment
Jump to:
1. Overview and Description
2. Relevance to Clinical Practice
3. Cutting Edge/unique Concepts/emerging Issues
4. Tables
Table 1. Quality of life and community re-integration assessment tools
Table 2: Palliative Care assessment tools
Table 3: Pediatric assessment tools
Table 4: Pain functional assessments
Table 5: Work Related Injuries Functional Assessment
Table 6: Activities of daily living scales
Table 7: Aerobic/Functional capacity measurements
Table 8: Balance assessment scales
Table 9: Cognitive
Table 10: Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
Gaps in Knowledge/evidence Base
References
Author Disclosure

Content: Stroke: NIH Stroke Scale
Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery
Stroke Impact Scale, and the
Bordeaux Verbal Communication Scale
Traumatic Brain Injury
Rancho Los Amigos Scale
Agitated Behavior Scale
Neurobehavioral Rating Scale-revised
Comma Recovery Scale
Galveston Orientation Amnesia Test/Orientation-log
Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and the
Mayo Portland Adaptability questionnaire
The selection of the functional assessment is based on the outcome being evaluated. The development of even more precise tools help assists in specific treatment adjustments. For example, the use of the modified Ashworth scale or Tardieu Scale for spasticity or Kurtzke’s Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) which is considered the standard for following patients with multiple sclerosis. When choosing a Functional assessment tool it is important to understand the sensitivity and specificity of the instrument. Many assessment tools are available through the web and are free of cost. Others might require the purchase of a license to administer prior to its use. In addition, some instruments require training while others don’t. Thus it is imperative that the functional assessment evaluator is familiar with the instrument being administered. 3.