Motor Assessment

Question 1

Why is it important to compare bilateral movements during a motor assessment?

Answer 1

To identify asymmetries and establish a baseline for normal function

Question 2

What should you observe during a motor assessment?

Answer 2

Posture, muscle bulk and any involuntary movements like tremors or spasticity

Question 3

How would you test functional motor abilities?

Answer 3

Ask the patient to perform basic and fine motor tasks like walking, squatting or reaching

Question 4

What functional motor tasks could you include in an assessment?

Answer 4

Sit to stand, single leg stance, tandem walking, finger to nose and heel to shin tasks

Question 5

What is the difference between AROM & PROM?

Answer 5

Active range of motion is actively performed by the patient
Passive range of movement is performed passively by the assessor to examine joint integrity and tone

Question 6

What might limited AROM but normal PROM indicate?

Answer 6

Muscle weakness, pain or a neurological deficit

Question 7

How do you grade muscle strength using the oxford scale?

Answer 7

0 - no contraction
1 - flicker of contraction
2 - full ROM with gravity eliminated
3 - full ROM against gravity
4 - against some resistance
5 - full ROM against maximum resistance

Question 8

How can you ensure reliability in manual muscle testing?

Answer 8

Use standardised positions, apply consistent resistance and compare bilaterally

Question 9

What tool can provide precise strength measurements beyond manual testing?

Answer 9

A handheld dynamometer

Question 10

How do you assess muscle tone?

Answer 10

By passively moving the patients limbs and noting resistance to movement, indicating hypertonia, rigidity, or hypotonia

Question 11

What is the modified ashworth scale for spasticity

Answer 11

0 - no increase in tone
1 - slight increase, catch and release
2 - marked increase through most of the range
3 - considerable increase, movement difficult
4 - rigid in flexion or extension

Question 12

How do you grade deep tendon reflexes?

Answer 12

0 - absent
2 - normal
3 - brisk
4 - very brisk, with clonus

Question 13

What does clonus during reflex testing indicate?

Answer 13

An upper motor neurone lesion or central nervous system pathology

Question 14

How would you test the plantar reflex?

Answer 14

Stroke the lateral sole of the foot and observe for a normal response (toes curling) or an abnormal response (babinski sign)

Question 15

How do you assess coordination during a motor assessment?

Answer 15

Rapid alternating movements (e.g. pronation/supination)
Point to point tasks (e.g. finger to nose, heel to shin)
Gait analysis for balance and ataxia

Question 16

What might difficulty with rapid alternating movements indicate?

Answer 16

Cerebellar dysfunction or a neurological condition affecting coordination

Question 17

What does hypertonia with exaggerated reflexes suggest?

Answer 17

Likely an upper motor neurone lesion

Question 18

What could reduced reflexes in one limb indicate?

Answer 18

Peripheral nerve damage, radiculopathy, or a lower motor neurone lesion

Question 19

What is radiculopathy?

Answer 19

A compressed nerve of the spine

Question 20

What does asymmetry in muscle bulk suggest?

Answer 20

Atrophy due to disuse, nerve injury or a chronic condition

Question 21

What motor impairments might you expect to find in Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 21

Rigidity, bradykinesia, tremors and postural instability

Question 22

How does a motor assessment differ for a patient who is post stroke?

Answer 22

Focus on spasticity, reflexes and unilateral impairments and assess functional mobility like gait and transfers

Question 23

What motor deficits would you assess in a patient with a herniated lumbar disc?

Answer 23

Weakness in affected myotomes, sensory deficits in dermatology and reduced reflexes corresponding to the compressed nerve root