Assessment tools can take a top-down approach or a bottom-up approach. A top-down approach starts with the evaluation of the occupations and takes a more global perspective of the client’s ability to participate in a given activity within a given context. A bottom-up approach starts with the evaluation of the fundamental performance skills and client factors required for completion of the activities in question with the assumption that deficits will result in performance difficulties.
Tools can be either criterion referenced or norm referenced. Criterion referenced tests measure performance against a pass-fail criteria that determines whether or not a client can perform a particular skill. A common example of criterion referenced tests are typical classroom tests developed by teachers. Norm referenced tests measure performance against a normative sample in order to rank that client against the “norm.” A common example of norm referenced tests are tests such as the SAT or ACT or annual academic assessments such as the ITBS.
If you know of an occupational therapy adult assessment tool that is not listed on this page, send us a message via the contact page so we can include it!
Action Research Arm Test (ARAT):
A test of upper limb function for clients with hemiplegia.
Author: Dr. Ronald C. Lyle, M.A., M. Sc.
Date of Publication: 1981
Measures: The Action Research Arm Test assesses the client’s recovery of upper limb function following a cognitive impairment by observing the client perform various activities including grasp, grip, pinch, and gross movements.
Administration time: The Action Research Arm Test generally takes between 7 and 10 minutes to administer when administered on only the affected upper extremity. However, if all items must be administered, the assessment can take up to 20 minutes.
Training Requirement: No training is required to complete the Action Research Arm Test.
Purchase: The test itself is available free of charge here. Standardized assessment kits are available here, but are not required as the items needed may also be purchased individually.
References and Further Reading:
Lyle, R. C. (1981). A performance test for assessment of upper limb function in physical rehabilitation treatment and research. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 4(4): 483-492.
Arnadottir Occupational Therapy Neurobehavioral Evaluation (A-ONE):
An occupational therapy specific assessment of nerobehavioral function.
Author: Gudrun Arnadottir, MA, BMROT
Date of Publication: 1990
Measures: The Arnadottir Occupational Therapy Neurobehavioral Evaluation assesses neurological function from an occupational therapy perspective by evaluating function during activities of daily living.
Administration time: The Arnadottir Occupational Therapy Neurobehavioral Evaluation takes approximately 25 minutes to administer.
Training Requirement: Training and certification is recommended in order to administer the Arnadottir Occupational Therapy Neurobehavioral Evaluation.
Purchase: The Arnadottir Occupational Therapy Neurobehavioral Evaluation is available in the textbook, The Brain and Behavior: Assessing Cortical Dysfunction Through Activities of Daily Living.
References and Further Reading:
Welcome to A-ONE. (n.d.). Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.a-one.is/index.html
Ashworth Scale for Grading Spasticity/Modified Ashworth Scale for Grading Hypertonia:
A scale for quantifying muscle tone.
Authors: Bryan Ashworth, revised by R.W. Bohannon & M.B. Smith
Date of Publication: 1964, revised in 1987
Measures: The Ashworth Scale for Grading Spasticity and the Modified Ashworth Scale for Grading Hypertonia measure and quantify abnormal muscle tone.
Administration time: The administration time for the Ashworth Scale for Grading Spasticity and the Modified Ashworth Scale for Grading Hypertonia varies depending on the specific muscles or muscle groups in question.
Training Requirement: Instructions for administration of the Modified Ashworth Scale for Grading Hypertonia are included in the original study by Bohannon & Smith (1987), and no additional training is required.
Purchase: The Modified Ashworth Scale for Grading Hypertonia is included in the original study by Bohannon & Smith (1987) and is also available here.
References and Further Reading:
Ashworth, B. (1964). Preliminary trial of carisoprodol in multiple sclerosis. Practitioner, 192, 540-542.
Bohannon, R.W. & Smith, M.B. (1987). Inter-rater reliability of a Modified Ashworth Scale of muscle spasticity. Physical Therapy, 2, 206-208
Barthel Index:
An index for scoring self-care performance.
Authors: Florence I. Mahoney, M.D. and Dorothea W. Barthel, BA, PT
Date of Publication: 1965
Measures: The Barthel Index assesses and scores a patient’s completion of specific self care tasks in order to determine a baseline and monitor progress.
Administration time: The Barthel Index itself can be completed within approximately 5 minutes if the clinician is aware of the patient’s level of performance on various self-care activities. However, for new patients, a complete self-care evaluation (or reported performance from family and staff) is required in order to complete the index.
Training Requirement: No training is required to complete the Barthel Index.
Purchase: The Barthel Index is included in the original research article by Mahoney and Barthel and is also available here.
References and Further Reading:
Mahoney, F.I. & Barthel, D. “Functional evaluation: the Barthel Index.” Maryland State Med Journal 1965;14:56-61. Used with permission.
Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation
An assessment of task-orientation and social interaction
Authors: Judith S. Bloomer PhD, OTR and Susan Lang MBA, OTR
Date of Publication: 1978
Measures: The Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation assesses task-orientation and social interaction in patients with psychiatric disorders, developmental delays, or brain injuries who present with deficits in cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation.
Administration time: The Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation takes approximately 45 minutes to administer.
Training Requirement: No training is required to complete the Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation.
Purchase: The Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation is available here and the replacement kit is available here.
References and Further Reading:
Houston, D., Williams, S.L., Bloomer, J., & Mann, W.C. (1989). The Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation: Development and Standardization. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 43, 170-183. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.43.3.170
Behavioral Inattention Test
Behavioral Pain Scale
Berg Balance Scale
Borg Numeric Pain Scale
Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale
Chessington Occupational Neurological Assessment BatteryTask
Circumferential Measurements
Clinical Assessment of Trunk Control–Gillen and Burkhardt
Contextual Memory Test
EPIC Lift Capacity Test
Executive Function Performance Test
Executive Function Route-Finding
Fugl-Myer Assessment
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Functional Independence Measure
Functional Reach Test
Glasgow Coma Scale
Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test
Joint Range of Motion Measurements
Kitchen Task Assessment
Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment
Manual Muscle Testing
McGill’s Pain Questionnaire
Mini-Mental State Examination
Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test
Nine Hole Peg Test
Pinch and Grip Strength Testing
Purdue Pegboard
Rancho Los Amigos: Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale
Ransford Pain Drawing
Rivermead Motor Assessment
RULA Employee Assessment Worksheet
Semmes-Weinstein Test
Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
Test of Everyday Attention
Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation
Trail Making Test
Two-Point Discrimination Test
Visual Analog Scale
Volumetry
More References and Further Reading:
Case-Smith, J. & O’Brien, J.C. (2010). Occupational therapy for children, (6th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier.