Timed Functional Arm and Shoulder Test

What is it about?

While there are some shoulder functional tests for athletes, no widely used performance test of arm and shoulder function currently exists to assess upper extremity functional performance, for example in a non-athlete population or elderly individuals. In these individuals, functional measures rely on patient self-report. The TFAST is a functional test which included 3 tasks –hand to head & back, wall wash and gallon lift. Total repetitions (reps) were noted for each task and total TFAST score was calculated. The TFAST was sensitive to detect differences in functional performance between age groups, demonstrated adequate between-session reliability, and demonstrated feasibility in a symptomatic patient group.

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Why is it important?

No widely used performance test of arm and shoulder function currently exists to assess upper extremity functional performance, for example in a non-athlete population or elderly individuals. In these individuals, functional measures rely on patient self-report. The TFAST is a functional test which included 3 tasks –hand to head & back, wall wash and gallon lift. Total repetitions (reps) were noted for each task and total TFAST score was calculated. The TFAST was sensitive to detect differences in functional performance between age groups, demonstrated adequate between-session reliability, and demonstrated feasibility in a symptomatic patient group.