Functional Examination and Impairment Terminology

DEFINITIONS

1. Independent: patient is able consistently to perform skill safety with no one present.
3. Supervision: patient requires someone within arm's reach as a precaution; low probability of patient having a problem requiring assistance.
4. Close guarding: person assisting is positioned as if to assist, with hands raised but not touching patient; full attention on patient; fair probability of patient requiring assistance.
5. Contact guarding: therapist is positioned as with close guarding, with hands on patient but not giving any assistance; high probability rate of patient requiring assistance.
6. Minimum assistance: patient is able to complete majority of the activity without assistance.
7. Moderate assistance: patient is able to complete part of the activity without assistance.
8. Maximum assistance: patient is unable to assist in any part of the activity.

DESCRIPTIVE TERMINOLOGY

1. Independent --- no cuing is given
2. Supervision --- may require cues
3. Minimum assistance --- may require cues
4. Moderate assistance --- may require cues
5. Maximum assistance --- may require cues

1. Independent --- no cuing is given
2. Supervision --- may require cues
3. Close guarding --- may require cues
4. Contact guarding --- may require cues
5. Minimum assistance --- may require cues
6. Moderate assistance --- may require cues
7. Maximum assistance --- may require cues

1. Normal Patient is able to maintain steady balance without support (static). Accepts maximal challenge and can shift weight easily and within full range in all directions (dynamic).
2. Good Patient able to maintain balance without support, limited postural sway (static). Accepts moderate challenge; able to maintain balance while picking object off floor (dynamic).
3. Fair Patient able to maintain balance with handhold support; may require minimal assistance (static). Accepts minimal challenge; able to maintain balance while turning head/trunk (dynamic).
4. Poor Patient requires handhold and moderate to maximal assistance to maintain posture (static).
Unable to accept challenge or move without loss of balance (dynamic).
5. No balance