Do You Test-Retest?

The Test-retest technique has and always will be a fundamental aspect of scientific research as it adds a layer of depth to the assessment. Its role therapeutically is no different. However it seems that many clinicians no longer utilize the test-retest approach. Here's 2 quick reasons why I do. 1) Determines efficacy of therapeutic intervention. An intervention is defined as the action taken to improve a situation, especially a medical disorder. Extrapolate this to physical therapy and we can say that every manual and non-manual technique a clinician performs should yield a change to some degree. If it doesn't what purpose is it serving the patient? No change = fluff. Do not read into this thinking that I am saying that one set of an exercise is going to create a change because therapeutic prescription is different than therapeutic intervention (more on this later). 2) It gains patient buy in. If you can create a change day 1 for a patient whether it be in a movement pattern, joint ROM, pain, etc., that patient is going to trust you as their clinician and be more likely to adhere to their therapeutic program. Seeing is believing and believing opens the door of opportunity. Belief in the process is a powerful tool that we clinician's need to exploit. If you aren't using a test-retest approach give it a try and see if it adds value to your assessment and/or facilitates your therapeutic plan of care.