OMSB Physiotherapy key terms

A graded assessment of a muscle's ability to produce force against gravity and manual resistance, scored 0 to 5. The therapist positions the limb, isolates the movement and applies resistance at the distal segment.

The 0 to 5 ordinal scale used with manual testing: 0 no contraction, 1 flicker, 2 movement with gravity eliminated, 3 movement against gravity, 4 against gravity plus some resistance, 5 normal.

Measurement of joint range using a protractor-like device aligned with the proximal and distal bony segments. Reliability depends on consistent landmarking, stabilisation and the same tester repeating the measure.

The arc a joint moves through when the patient's own muscles generate the movement. It reflects joint mobility plus neuromuscular control, and is compared with passive range to detect weakness or pain limitation.

The arc achieved when the therapist moves the joint without patient effort. It indicates joint and capsular mobility, and the end-feel felt at the limit helps distinguish normal, capsular, bony and soft-tissue restriction.

The quality of resistance felt when a joint reaches the end of its passive range, such as soft, firm, hard or empty. It helps identify whether limitation comes from muscle, capsule, bone or pain guarding.

Small accessory glides and rotations occurring between joint surfaces that cannot be produced voluntarily. Testing and restoring joint play is a core rationale for manual mobilisation techniques.

A five-level classification of passive oscillatory joint movements. Grades I and II are small or large amplitudes before resistance; grades III and IV reach into resistance; grade V is a single high-velocity thrust.

Muscle activation without change in muscle length or joint angle. It is used to build strength when movement is painful or restricted, and to test strength in a stable position.

Muscle activation while the muscle lengthens under load, producing force with less oxygen cost than concentric work. It is used in tendon loading programmes and in retraining control of descent, such as stair descent.

Systematic loading in which resistance is increased as adaptation occurs, guided by principles of overload, specificity and recovery. Repetition ranges, sets and rest intervals are chosen to match the target outcome.

The rules used to design a safe programme: frequency, intensity, time, type, plus progression, individualisation, specificity, reversibility and adequate recovery. Baseline capacity and irritability determine starting dose.

How easily a symptom is provoked, how intense it becomes and how long it takes to settle. It guides how much load or manual technique can be applied in a session and how quickly to progress.

Deliberately reproducing a patient's familiar symptom through a specific movement or loading manoeuvre, then confirming it settles as expected. It supports clinical reasoning about the tissue source and the diagnosis.

Named manoeuvres that stress a specific structure to help confirm or exclude a diagnosis, for example ligament, meniscal or labral tests. Their value depends on known sensitivity, specificity and pretest probability.

Sensitivity is the proportion of people with a condition who test positive; specificity is the proportion without it who test negative. Both are needed to judge whether a test meaningfully changes clinical decisions.

How much a test result multiplies the odds of a diagnosis. A positive likelihood ratio above about 10 markedly raises probability; values near 1 barely change it, regardless of test name.

The iterative thinking process of gathering cues, forming hypotheses, testing them and revising the plan. It integrates patient goals, examination findings, evidence and context rather than following a fixed protocol.

Selecting assessment items because they discriminate between competing diagnostic hypotheses, rather than performing a fixed battery. Findings are used to confirm, refute or refine each hypothesis.

Standardised tools that quantify change in symptoms, function or participation over time, such as a region-specific disability questionnaire or a timed walking test. They support evaluation and communication of progress.

The smallest change in a score that a patient would perceive as worthwhile. It is used alongside statistical significance to decide whether an improvement matters in practice.

Clinical features suggesting serious pathology such as fracture, infection, tumour or cauda equina syndrome, which require urgent medical referral rather than physiotherapy management. Examples include unexplained weight loss and night pain.

Psychosocial factors that predict poor recovery, including fear of movement, catastrophising, low mood and work dissatisfaction. They guide education and cognitive-behavioural approaches rather than passive treatment.

Avoiding movement or activity because it is expected to cause pain or harm, which over time reduces capacity and increases disability. Graded exposure and reassurance are used to reverse the cycle.

Planned, stepwise engagement with feared movements or activities, starting at a tolerable level and progressing as confidence grows. It is used for chronic pain and phobic avoidance of activity.

Structuring activity or exercise in measured increments based on baseline capacity and time, rather than on pain levels alone. The aim is to build tolerance without repeated flare-ups.

A patient's voluntary agreement to assessment or treatment after receiving understandable information about purpose, expected benefit, risks, alternatives and the right to refuse. It is an ongoing process, not a single signature.

The ability to understand, retain, weigh and communicate a treatment decision. A patient with capacity may refuse even beneficial treatment; without capacity, decisions follow local legal frameworks and best-interest processes.

The professional duty to protect patient information and share it only with those involved in care or as authorised by the patient or law. It continues after the therapeutic relationship ends.

The legal and ethical obligation to act in the patient's interest, avoid foreseeable harm and practise within one's competence. Breach of this duty can ground a negligence claim if harm results.

The boundaries of knowledge, skills and legal authority within which a clinician may act. Working outside it without referral or supervision is unsafe and may be misconduct.

Deciding whether a patient's presentation is suitable for physiotherapy or needs medical, surgical or other specialist input. Clear referral pathways and timely communication protect patient safety.

The limits that keep the therapeutic relationship focused on the patient's health needs, covering dual relationships, personal disclosure and physical contact. Crossing them risks harm and misconduct findings.

A 14-item performance test scoring static and dynamic balance tasks out of 56. Lower scores indicate higher fall risk; it is widely used in older adults and neurological rehabilitation.

A timed test of standing from a chair, walking three metres, turning and returning to sit. It screens mobility and fall risk and is sensitive to change in neurological and geriatric populations.

The ability to stabilise and move the trunk against gravity to support limb movement, sitting balance and upright posture. It is a prerequisite for effective gait and upper limb function after neurological injury.

Structured practice of walking, with or without aids, harnesses or body-weight support, aimed at improving speed, symmetry and safety. Task-specific repetition and progression drive motor learning.

Rules governing skill acquisition, including practice specificity, feedback scheduling, variability, blocked versus random practice and transfer. They shape how rehabilitation tasks are designed and progressed.

The nervous system's capacity to reorganise connections and function in response to experience, practice and injury. It underpins recovery-oriented, repetitive and meaningful task training.

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone with exaggerated stretch reflexes, arising from upper motor neuron lesions. It can aid function or cause contracture and must be assessed functionally.

Adaptive shortening of muscle, tendon or capsule that limits passive range and cannot be overcome by stretch alone. Prevention through positioning and regular movement is a core rehabilitation aim.

A submaximal test measuring the greatest distance walked on a flat corridor in six minutes. It reflects functional exercise capacity and is used in cardiac and respiratory rehabilitation.

A subjective scale, commonly 6 to 20 or 0 to 10, used to rate effort during exercise. Target ranges guide intensity when heart rate monitoring is unreliable or unavailable.

A supervised programme of exercise training, education and self-management for people with chronic lung disease. It improves breathlessness, exercise capacity and quality of life, and reduces hospital admissions.

A breathing technique of inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips. It slows expiration, reduces air trapping and eases breathlessness in obstructive lung disease.

Methods such as active cycle of breathing, autogenic drainage, postural drainage and oscillating devices used to mobilise and clear secretions. Choice depends on sputum load, fatigue and patient preference.

Positioning the body so gravity assists mucus movement from specific lung segments towards the central airways. It is usually combined with breathing exercises or percussion and must be monitored for tolerance.

Expected ages for acquiring motor, language and social skills, such as sitting unsupported and walking. Delayed or atypical patterns prompt referral and guide paediatric goal setting.

The ability to control large body movements such as rolling, sitting, crawling and walking. It is assessed with standardised tools and monitored to track developmental progress.

Therapeutic use of the hands and supportive equipment to align the body and facilitate movement in infants and children. It aims to prevent deformity and encourage active participation.

Asymmetrical head posture with neck rotation and side flexion limitation, often from sternocleidomastoid tightness in infants. Management includes positioning, stretching and encouraging active turning.