A: No. The DMP can be broken into two visits to allow time to work on other aspects of POC. In fact, two visits may allow for more time to spend discussing the DMP home activity plan and make the impact more meaningful. If a patient/client specifically comes in to perform the DMP, then we will treat this as a normal EVAL and block out the normal EVAL time.
A. No. The PT can use their Techs/Aids to help administer the DMP and the PT can review the results with the pts. In order for this to be successful techs must be trained on administering the test properly. The PT should be the one to review results and the in-clinic and home intervention plan.
A. If the patient is performing this during a normal episode of care, the squat test, step up test, plank, and balance test could all be billed as Therapeutic Activities or NMR. You may consider billing a Re-Eval code if you are using the test to initiate care on another area of the body or develop a new POC. If the patient is there for a first visit, we recommend billing a traditional PT EVAL code. Much like a traditional PT EVAL, the testing provides results that will guide your PT diagnosis and intervention plan. The score will help the PT decide the frequency and duration of in-clinic care needed. Regarding the patient education you provide throughout and after the test, we recommend you bill that as you would bill the patient education you currently provide.
A. A metronome can be used but if there is not one in the clinic there are free apps that can be downloaded on a tablet or phone that will work well.
A. The push ups are not timed, the pts can take small breaks in a good tall plank position.
A. We recommend you perform the tests on a colleague or friend 1-2 times before working with a client. We have found that performing the DMP as part of a staff meeting can be very helpful and allow questions to be answered. If you prepare properly the test will take less than 45 minutes to administer. You may choose to perform the test over 2 office visits if time does not allow for 45 mins.
A. You certainly can do this and make clinical judgments based on your observations. For the purposes of the DMP, the movement quality is not evaluated when determining completion of each test. The participant must perform the test as described in the methods but the movement quality will not determine their score. At Dr. Movement, we feel that ‘movement behavior’ is just as, or more, important than movement quality.
A. The simple answer is “no”. The DMP is a physical performance test that will help guide your activity prescription. In addition to the Dr. Movement Activity/Nutritional Questionnaire, we suggest you utilize the intake forms and medicine history that are already being used in your clinical setting to determine if a PT is appropriate for the DMP. And, remember always get the client to sign the DMP Waiver Form.
A. If the test is modified it is no longer valid. Therefore, if the client is unable to perform the test as described they will receive a “0” for that test. For clients unable to perform the test, it provides a great educational opportunity to address their current condition relative to age-related norm.
A. Moderate-level activities include: biking slowly, canoeing, dancing, general gardening, tennis (doubles), using your manual wheelchair, using hand cyclers (ergometers), walking briskly, water aerobics
B. Vigorous-level activities include: aerobic dance, basketball, fast dancing, jumping rope, martial arts, race walking, jogging, or running, riding a bike on hills or faster, soccer, swimming fast or swimming laps, tennis (singles)