If you are having balance issues or difficulty with functional mobility, your physical therapist is the perfect person to assess your condition. But how does your PT measure your functional balance, and can the test be done at home?
Don Mason / Getty Images
The Functional Reach Test is a special test used as an outcome measure in physical therapy. It is used to assess your balance and functional motion after an injury or illness or when you may have limited mobility.
If you are having difficulty with balance and functional mobility, or if you have fallen, you may benefit from physical therapy to helpimprove your mobilityand safety. Your physical therapist will likely take many different measurements to assess your mobility or balance impairments. He or she may measure yourstrength, yourrange of motion, or your need for an assistive device.
There are many different outcome measures that your physical therapist may use to help gauge your current level of mobility and to help keep track of your improvement as you progress through physical therapy. He or she may use balance tests like theTinetti Scaleor theTimed Up and Go Test.
He or she may also use the Functional Reach Test to measure your balance while reaching for various items. The Functional Reach Test is a simple test of balance that can be used to identify people who may be at risk for falling while reaching.
How the Functional Reach Test Is Performed
Be sure that you speak with your healthcare provider or physical therapist before starting the test, and make certain that someone is with you who can ensure that you are safe during the test.
To perform the test:
Usually, a practice run is allowed before starting the test, and three tests are done, with the average of the three measurements being the final score.
You can use your score on the Functional Reach Test to measure progress if you are performing balance exercises in physical therapy, and your score may also be used to keep you motivated during physical therapy. As your score improves, you should notice your balance and functional mobility improve as well.
A Word From Verywell
The Functional Reach Test is a simple outcome measure test that you can perform to assess your balance and mobility status. Try it today, and talk to your healthcare provider orphysical therapistabout ways to improve your balance and safe functional mobility.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.De waroquier-leroy L, Bleuse S, Serafi R, et al.The Functional Reach Test: strategies, performance and the influence of age. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2014;57(6-7):452-64. doi:Reiman MP, Manske RC.Functional Testing in Human Performance. Human Kinetics; 2009.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.De waroquier-leroy L, Bleuse S, Serafi R, et al.The Functional Reach Test: strategies, performance and the influence of age. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2014;57(6-7):452-64. doi:Reiman MP, Manske RC.Functional Testing in Human Performance. Human Kinetics; 2009.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
De waroquier-leroy L, Bleuse S, Serafi R, et al.The Functional Reach Test: strategies, performance and the influence of age. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2014;57(6-7):452-64. doi:Reiman MP, Manske RC.Functional Testing in Human Performance. Human Kinetics; 2009.
De waroquier-leroy L, Bleuse S, Serafi R, et al.The Functional Reach Test: strategies, performance and the influence of age. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2014;57(6-7):452-64. doi:
Reiman MP, Manske RC.Functional Testing in Human Performance. Human Kinetics; 2009.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
