Glossary
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A
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abduction
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is the motion of a limb or appendage away from the midline of the body. For example, arm abduction is the movement of the arms away from the body within the plane of the torso—the sagittal plane. britannica.com
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abductor pollicis longus
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is a muscle of the forearm that abducts the thumb and wrist. britannica.com
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active assisted range of motion, AAROM
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is joint movement that occurs when the movement of the body or any of its parts occurs partially through the individual’s own efforts, or attempts movement and is accompanied by the aid of an individual, typically, a member of the healthcare team or caregiver, or some device such as an exercise machine. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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active range of motion, AROM
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is joint movement that occurs when muscles act on the joint and cause voluntary movement, such as bending the wrist up and down without any assistance from external forces; a product of muscle strength. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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activities of daily living, ADL
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are tasks that one performs to take care of oneself, for example bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, attending to hygiene, toileting, and walking, or functional mobility. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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adaptive mobility device, AMD
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are aids for activities of daily living (AADLs), also known as daily living aids, self-care equipment, or basic assistive technology, products, devices, and equipment used in everyday functional activities by the disabled or the elderly. britannica.com
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agonist contraction
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is a muscle or muscle group that causes the motion and is sometimes referred to as the prime mover. britannica.com
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allodynia
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is a type of pain. People with allodynia are extremely sensitive to touch. Activities that aren’t usually painful such as combing hair can cause severe pain. Many conditions and injuries cause allodynia. To relieve pain, providers treat the condition that’s causing it. Treatments may include medications, OT, and therapy. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
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aphasia
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is a communication impairment affecting receptive and/or expressive language abilities. merriam-webster.com
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arrhythmia
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is an irregular heartbeat, or heart-rhythm problem that occurs when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart beat don’t work properly. The faulty signaling causes the heart to beat too fast—tachycardia, too slow—bradycardia, or irregularly. mayoclinic.org
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atrial fibrillation, AFib
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is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm—arrhythmia—that can lead to blood clots in the heart. AFib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. mayoclinic.org
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atrium
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is one of two sections of the heart that take in blood from the veins. britannica.com
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attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD
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is a behavioral syndrome characterized by inattention and distractibility, restlessness, inability to sit still, and difficulty concentrating on one thing for any period of time. britannica.com
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B
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beats per minute, BPM
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is your heart rate. It is the number of times each minute that your heart beats, which is normally between 60 and 100 times per minute for adults. my.clevelandclinic.org
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blood pressure cuff;
sphygmomanometer |
is an instrument called a sphygmomanometer, which is more often referred to as a blood pressure cuff, is used to measure blood pressure. The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated to stop the flow of blood in the artery. As the cuff is slowly deflated, use a stethoscope to listen to the blood pumping through the artery. These pumping sounds register on a gauge attached to the cuff. The first pumping sound you hear is recorded as the systolic pressure, and the last sound is the diastolic pressure. britannica.com
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Borg Scale; Borg rating of perceived exertion, RPE
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is an outcome measure scale used in knowing exercise intensity prescription. It is used in monitoring progress and mode of exercise in cardiac patients as well as in other patient populations undergoing rehabilitation and endurance training. It is a common measure of both exertion and dyspnea. physio-pedia.com
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brachial plexus
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is the network of nerves that sends signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. A brachial plexus injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed, or in the most serious cases, ripped apart or torn away from the spinal cord. britannica.com
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bradycardia
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is a heart rate. Slower than normal. An adult’s resting heart usually beats between 60 and 100 times per minute. With bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute, which can be a serious problem if the heart rate is very slow and the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. If this happens, you may feel dizzy, very tired or weak, and short of breath. Sometimes, bradycardia doesn’t cause symptoms or complications. britannica.com
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bradykinesia
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means slowness of movement and speed or progressive hesitations and halts as movements are continued. It is one of the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). You must have bradykinesia plus at least either tremor or rigidity for a Parkinson’s diagnosis to be considered. britannica.com
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breathing— diaphragmatic; pursed-lip
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Diaphragmatic breathing is a strategy used to promote increased use of the diaphragm muscle and reduce overuse of the accessory muscles for breathing. It can help a person relax, improve muscle function, prevent strain during exercise, increase blood oxygen, help release lung gas waste, and reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Place one hand on your upper chest, the other below your rib cage to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe. Breathe in slowly through your nose moving the stomach out against your hand. Tighten your stomach muscles, so that your stomach moves back in, as you exhale through pursed lips. Keep your chest hand as still as possible. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward; my.clevelandclinic.org Pursed-lip breathing is a technique of exhaling through tightly pressed pursed lips and inhaling through the nose with the mouth closed. This technique is used by clients with pulmonary conditions to control and maintain breathing when experiencing shortness of breath. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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Brunnstrom approach
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are stages of motor recovery for stroke clients. physio-pedia.com
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C
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CRA Therapy
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Community Rehab Associates Therapy. cratherapy.com |
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cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR
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is an emergency procedure used to restart a person’s heartbeat and breathing after one or both have stopped. It involves giving strong, rapid pushes to the chest to keep blood moving through the body. Usually, it also involves blowing air into the person’s mouth to help with breathing and send oxygen to the lungs. Also called cardiopulmonary resuscitation. NIH cancer.gov
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carotid sinus syncope
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sometimes called the tight-collar syndrome, causes brief unconsciousness from impaired blood flow to the brain. Unlike the ordinary faint, this syncope is not preceded by pallor, nausea, and sweating. britannica.com
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carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS
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is a painful condition of the hand and fingers caused by a compressed major nerve where it passes over the carpal bones through a passage at the front of the wrist, alongside the flexor tendons of the hand. It may be caused by repetitive movements over a long period, or by fluid retention, and is characterized by sensations of tingling, numbness, or burning. britannica.com
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carpometacarpal joint, CMC
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is the thumb joint. It is a biconcave-convex saddle joint, consists of the articulation between the first metacarpal of the thumb and the trapezium carpal bone. britannica.com
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catheter, Foley catheter
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is a common type of indwelling catheter. It has soft, plastic or rubber tube that is inserted into the bladder to drain the urine. medlineplus.gov
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central nervous system, CNS
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is the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, both derived from the embryonic neural tube. Both are surrounded by protective membranes called the meninges, and both float in a crystal-clear cerebrospinal fluid. britannica.com
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cerebral palsy, CP
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is a group of neurological disorders characterized by paralysis resulting from abnormal development of or damage to the brain either before birth or during the first years of life. It affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture and affects a child’s ability to control his or her muscles. britannica.com
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cerebrovascular accident, CVA
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is the medical term for a stroke. A stroke is when blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either by a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel. britannica.com
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cervical ganglion
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is any of three sympathetic ganglia on each side of the neck—superior cervical ganglion, middle cervical ganglion, or inferior cervical ganglion. britannica.com
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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD
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is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by the combination of signs and symptoms of emphysema and bronchitis. britannica.com
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compensatory strategies
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are neuroplasticity compensatory techniques and behavior modifications described as the brain figuring out an alternative strategy for carrying out a task when the initial strategy cannot be followed due to impairment. They are used to compensate for a deficit or injury, making up for a loss, especially serving as psychological or physiological compensation. britannica.com
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complex regional pain disorder; causalgia, CRPD
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is constant burning pain; also known as complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb pain, and other painful conditions. It occurs long after original wounds have healed. britannica.com
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constraint-induced movement therapy, CIMT
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is therapy to improve and increase the use of the more affected extremity while restricting the use of the less affected arm. physio-pedia.com
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contractures
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are permanent tightening of the muscles, tendons, skin, and nearby tissues that cause the joints to shorten and become very stiff. britannica.com
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contralateral
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means occurring on or acting in conjunction with a part on the opposite side of the body. merriam-webster.com
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coronavirus disease, COVID-19
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is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
who.int |
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cubital tunnel syndrome
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occurs when the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel—a tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone on the inside of the elbow—is injured and becomes inflamed, swollen, and irritated. britannica.com
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D
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distal interphalangeal, DIP
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are the joints closest to the tips of the toes, fingers, and thumbs. In medical terminology, DIP joints are synovial joints located where middle and distal phalanges meet. Phalanges are the small bones in the fingers, thumbs, and toes. britannica.com
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DOPL board
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Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing board. dopl.utah.gov
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deep vein thrombosis, DVT
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is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. If the vein swells, the condition is called thrombophlebitis. A deep vein thrombosis can break loose and cause a serious problem in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism. medlineplus.gov
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De Quervain tenosynovitis: Mother’s Thumb
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is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, seen in mothers of newborn to young children. It is most commonly the result of carrying the child, leading to overuse of the wrist. Less commonly, it can also result from fluid retention resulting from lactational changes. If you have de Quervain tenosynovitis, you will probably feel pain when you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist. Mothers Thumb is the colloquial for De Quervain tenosynovitis. It is more common in countries that speak British English. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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diastolic, diastole
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in the cardiac cycle, is the period when the heart muscle relaxes, accompanied by filling the chambers with blood. Diastole is followed in the cardiac cycle by a period of contraction, or systole of the heart muscle. The diastolic is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. britannica.com
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distal
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this means situated away from the body, away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point, especially of the body. merriam-webster.com
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distal transverse palmar crease
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runs along the top of your palm. It begins close to your little finger and ends at the base of your middle or index finger, or between them. People most often have three creases in their palms. medlineplus.gov
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do-not-resuscitate, DNR
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is a medical order written by a doctor. It instructs health care providers not to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient’s breathing stops or if the patient’s heart stops beating. medlineplus.gov
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dorsal
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on a human body, dorsal, posterior, refers to the back portion of the body, whereas ventral, anterior, refers to the front part of the body. The terms dorsal and ventral are also often used to describe the relative location of a body part. openmd.com
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Dunn, Winnie, Sensory Processing Framework
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is a sensory processing model. The Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing proposes four basic patterns of sensory processing which are emerged from the interaction of the neurological threshold and self-regulation. Neurological threshold is a personal range of threshold for noticing and responding to different sensory events in everyday life. People who have low sensory threshold would notice and respond to stimuli more often because their neurological system activates easier and more readily to sensory events. On the other hand, people who have high sensory threshold often miss stimuli that others notice easily because their neurological system requires stronger stimuli to activate. ottheory.com
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Durkan’s test
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is a test for carpal tunnel syndrome where the OT practitioner presses thumbs over the client’s carpal tunnel and holds pressure for 30 seconds. An onset of pain or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution within 30 seconds is a positive result of the test. physio-pedia.com
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dynamometer, pinch gauge
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is an evaluation tool that is used to measure isometric hand grip strength to initially evaluate a patient’s hand dysfunction or trauma, and to determine how a patient is responding to ongoing therapy and treatment. Some versions use hydraulics to measure the force while others use electronic load cells. performancehealth.com
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dyspnea
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is shortness of breath. This sensation of complex origin may arise acutely, as when a foreign body is inhaled into the trachea, or with the onset of a severe attack of asthma. More often, it is insidious in onset and slowly progressive. britannica.com
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E
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electrocardiograph, ECG; electrocardiogram, EKG
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is a line graph that shows changes in the electrical activity of the heart over time. It is made by an instrument called an electrocardiograph. The graph can show that there are abnormal conditions, such as blocked arteries, changes in electrolytes (particles with electrical charges), and changes in the way electrical currents pass through the heart tissue. Also called ECG and electrocardiogram. cancer.gov
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extensor pollicis brevis
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is a muscle that arises from the dorsal surface of the radius, extends the first phalanx of the thumb, and adducts the hand. merriam-webster.com
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extrinsic
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means not part of something or coming from the outside of something. The opposite of extrinsic is intrinsic. britannica.com
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F
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festination
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is an involuntary gait in which stride length is shortened and steps become progressively more rapid. The client with a festinating gait appears to be hurrying or shuffling along, though forward propulsion is decreased overall. Their trunk and lower extremities are typically flexed. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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flexion
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is a bending movement around a joint in a limb, such as the knee or elbow, that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint. merriam-webster.com
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fluidotherapy
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is the application of warmed cellulose particles suspended in forced dry air to heat an injured or painful body part, especially prior to muscle strengthening or range-of-motion exercises. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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G
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goniometer
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is the tool used to measure the arc of motion of a joint. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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goniometry
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is the measurement of the arc of motion of a joint using a goniometer. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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H
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hemiplegia
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is a significant weakness or paralysis that affects one side of the body. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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hemoglobin
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also spelled haemoglobin, is iron-containing protein in the blood of many animals—in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) of vertebrates—that transports oxygen to the tissues. Hemoglobin forms an unstable reversible bond with oxygen. In the oxygenated state, it is called oxyhemoglobin and is bright red; in the reduced state, it is purplish blue. britannica.com
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Huntington’s disease, HD
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is an inherited disorder that causes neuronal brain cells to die in various areas of the brain, including those that help to control voluntary, intentional movement. Symptoms get progressively worse and include uncontrolled movements called chorea, abnormal body postures, and changes in behavior, emotion, judgment, and cognition. People with HD also develop impaired coordination, slurred speech, and difficulty feeding and swallowing. britannica.com
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I
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intravenous, IV
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means into or within a vein and describes a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. Also called IV. cancer.gov
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incentive spirometer
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is a handheld medical device that measures the volume of your breath. It can help the lungs heal after surgery or in cases of lung disease and conditions that fill the lungs with fluid. healthline.com
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nfantilize
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to treat someone as a child or in a way which denies their maturity in age or experience. languages.oup.com
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innervate
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is to supply an organ or other body part with nerves. languages.oup.com
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instrumental activities of daily living, IADLs
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are tasks that are performed just beyond the scope of caring for one’s own body and are more complex, such as cooking, managing medication, light housework, and driving. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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intensive care unit, ICU
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is a unit in a hospital providing intensive care for critically ill or injured patients that is staffed by specially trained medical personnel and has equipment that allows for continuous monitoring and life support. merriam-webster.com
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intrinsic
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means coming from within, from the inside, originating and included wholly within an organ or part—intrinsic muscles. The opposite of intrinsic is extrinsic. britannica.com
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iontophoresis
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is a technique of delivering transdermal drugs or chemicals (ionic medicinal compounds) into the tissue through the skin by applying a low-amplitude DC current; a physical agent modality. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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ischial tuberosity, IT
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sometimes referred to the sit bone, is a rounded bone that extends from the ischium—the curved bone that makes up the bottom of your pelvis. It is located just below the ischial spine, which is a pointed bone that extends up the backside of your pelvis. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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J
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Jackson Pratt (JP) drain
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is used to help empty excess fluid from the body after surgery, which can help in the healing process. my.clevelandclinic.org
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K
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keloid scar
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is a scar in which there is overgrowth of tissue beyond the original wound. Such scars can be firm or rubbery and can vary in color. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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L
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LVST BIG, Lee Silverman voice treatment
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is an intensive, effective, one-on-one behavioral treatment created to help people with Parkinson’s disease. lsvtglobal.com
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lateral
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means to the side of or away from the middle of the body. For examples, the ears are lateral to the nose; the arms are lateral to the chest. medlineplus.gov
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LEA Eye Chart
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the LEA Vision Test System is a series of pediatric vision tests designed specifically for children who do not know how to read the letters of the alphabet that are typically used in eye charts. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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level of sensory registration
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is the level the brain registers a sensation, which in neurology and psychology is any concrete, conscious experience resulting from stimulation of a specific sense organ, sensory nerve, or sensory area in the brain. The word is used in a more general sense to indicate the whole class of such experiences. britannica.com
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long-term acute care hospitals, LTACHs
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are facilities that specialize in the treatment of patients with serious medical conditions that require care on an ongoing basis but no longer require intensive care or extensive diagnostic procedures. asha.org
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lordosis, swayback
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is an increased curvature in the lumbar middle-to-lower region of the vertebral column, and it may be associated with spondylolisthesis, inflammation of the intervertebral disk, or obesity. britannica.com
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M
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myocardial infarction, MI
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is a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction that occurs when one of the arteries that supplies the heart muscle becomes blocked. Blockage may be caused by spasm of the artery or by atherosclerosis with acute clot formation. medlineplus.gov
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macrophage
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is a type of white blood cell that helps eliminate foreign substances by engulfing foreign materials and initiating an immune response; it occurs in almost all body tissues. britannica.com
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manual muscle training, MMT
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is a means of assessing muscle strength that measures the maximal contraction of a muscle or muscle group. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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MedBridge Occupational Therapy
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is an all-in-one online continuing education platform for PTs, OTs, SLPs, ATs, and RNs that also offers patient engagement tools.medbridgeeducation.com
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medial
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means toward the middle or center. It is the opposite of lateral. The term is used to describe general positions of body parts. For example, the chest is medial to the arm. medlineplus.gov
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median nerve
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branches in the forearm to serve the palmaris longus, two pronator muscles, four flexor muscles, thenar muscles, and lumbrical muscles; most of these serve the wrist and hand.
britannica.com |
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Medi-Cog
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is a seven-minute screening tool, which can be used by health care providers to assess cognitive literacy and pillbox skills to optimize medication safety. The tool is a combination of the Mini-Cog©, a validated cognitive screen, and the Medication Transfer Screen (MTS), a pillbox skills test. This tool was developed by Katherine Anderson, PharmD. pharmacy.umaryland.edu
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metacarpal, MC
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is any of several tubular bones between the wrist—carpal bones and each of the forelimb digits in land vertebrates, that correspond to the metatarsal bones of the foot. britannica.com
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metacarpophalangeal, MCP
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means of, relating to, or involving both the metacarpus and the phalanges. merriam-webster.com
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micrographia
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is abnormally small handwriting or handwriting that becomes progressively smaller that is characteristic especially of Parkinson’s disease. merriam-webster.com
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millimeters of mercury, mm Hg
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a measure of blood pressure, referring to the height to which the pressure in the blood vessels push a column of mercury. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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Mini-Cog
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is a short cognitive impairment screening exam to help diagnose dementia early. It combines a short memory test with a simple clock-drawing test for fast screening for short-term memory problems, learning disabilities, and other cognitive functions that are reduced in dementia patients. physio-pedia.com
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Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA
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is a brief cognitive screening test with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting mild neurocognitive disorder and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The MoCA is particularly useful for detecting cognitive changes in those with higher levels of education, or where mild cognitive changes are the primary clinical concern. psychdb.com
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Mother’s Thumb: De Quervain tenosynovitis
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is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, seen in mothers of newborn to young children. It is most commonly the result of carrying the child, leading to overuse of the wrist. Less commonly, it can also result from fluid retention resulting from lactational changes. If you have De Quervain tenosynovitis, you will probably feel pain when you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist. Mothers Thumb is the colloquial for De Quervain tenosynovitis. It is more common in countries that speak British English. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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multiple sclerosis, MS
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is a disease of the brain and spinal cord in which gradual, patchy destruction of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers causes interruption or disordered transmission of nerve impulses. britannica.com
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N
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neurodevelopmental treatment, NDT
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is a hands-on treatment approach used by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists and was developed to enhance the function of adults and children who have difficulty controlling movement as a result of neurological challenges, such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and head injury. kennedykrieger.org
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naris
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are the openings to the nasal cavities that allow air to flow through the cavities to the pharynx. merriam-webster.com
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nasal cannula
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is a medical device to provide supplemental oxygen therapy to people who have lower oxygen levels. There are two types of nasal cannulas: low flow and high flow. The device has two prongs that sit below the nose that deliver oxygen directly into your nostrils and are connected to a common tube, which is then connected to the oxygen source. webmd.com
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neuro tone
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is the normal tension or responsiveness to stimuli, specifically the state of partial contraction of skeletal muscle at rest and the strength, firmness, or tautness of a part of the body, such as the muscles or skin—the resting current state of a muscle. merriam-webster.com
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nociception
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is the perception of a painful or injurious stimulus. merriam-webster.com
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nociceptors
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is a receptor, as in the skin, for nociceptive stimuli, a pain sense organ. merriam-webster.com
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O
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occupational therapy, OT
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is therapy based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life, such as self-care skills, education, work, or social interaction, especially to enable or encourage participation in such activities despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental functioning. merriam-webster.com
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occupational therapist, OT
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is a person trained and licensed in the practice of occupational therapy. merriam-webster.com
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occupational therapy assistant, OTA
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works on inter-professional teams in both institutional and community settings to facilitate patients’ rehabilitation and recovery. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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oxygen canisters, oxygen tanks
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are used to store gas for medical breathing at medical facilities and at home. Tubing used to deliver oxygen are connected to the oxygen source. medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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oxygen saturation, SpO2
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is the oxygen saturation reading on a pulse oximeter. It shows how much oxygen your blood is carrying as a percentage of the maximum it could carry. For a healthy individual, the normal SpO2 should be between 96 percent to 99 percent. my.clevelandclinic.org
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P
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Parkinson’s disease (PD)
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is also called primary parkinsonism, paralysis agitans, or idiopathic parkinsonism, and is a degenerative neurological disorder that is characterized by the onset of tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness in movement—bradykinesia, and stooped posture—postural instability. britannica.com
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passive range of motion.
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is the space in which a part of your body can move when someone or something is creating the movement, such as a massage or physical therapist. You’re not the one engaging the muscles you would normally use to start the movement and do the work. webmd.com
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pectoral muscles
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are any of the muscles that connect the front walls of the chest with the bones of the upper arm and shoulder. There are two such muscles on each side of the sternum—breastbone, in the human body—pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. britannica.com
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perception
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is capacity for comprehension and awareness of the elements of the environment through physical sensation and sensation interpreted in the light of experience. merriam-webster.com
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peripherally inserted central catheter, PICC line
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is a long, thin tube that’s inserted through a vein in your arm and passed through to the larger veins near your heart, which gives your doctor access to the large central veins near the heart. It’s generally used to give medications or liquid nutrition. mayoclinic.org
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peripheral nervous system
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is the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves, excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system. merriam-webster.com
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phagocyte
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is a cell, such as a macrophage or neutrophil, that engulfs and consumes foreign material, such as microorganisms and debris such as dead tissue cells. merriam-webster.com
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phalanges
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are the bones in the fingers, thumbs, and toes. arthritis-health.com
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Phalen test
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is a maneuver used to diagnosis carpal tunnel symptoms. The patient is asked to flex the wrists while keeping the fingers extended, typically by placing the dorsa of the wrists together. The test is positive, suggesting carpal tunnel syndrome, when wrist flexion produces numbness in the distribution of the median nerve. The accuracy of the test is limited. Also known as Phalen’s sign. medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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physical therapist, PT
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is a health care professional licensed to practice physical therapy who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability. merriam-webster.com
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physical therapist assistant, PTA
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is a graduate of an accredited physical therapist assistant education program and is a paraprofessional who assists the physical therapist, providing selected interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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physical therapy, PT
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is therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that uses therapeutic exercise, physical modalities, such as massage and electrotherapy, assistive devices, and patient education and training. merriam-webster.com
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pinch gauge or pinch-strength meters
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are devices used to help occupational therapists assess a client’s functional hand pinch strength. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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pivot transfer
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are steps to move a patient from bed to a wheelchair. medlineplus.gov
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pneumothorax
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normal collection of air in the space between the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and the chest cavity. This can cause all or part of the lung to collapse. The most common symptoms are sudden chest pain and trouble breathing. cancer.gov
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polytrauma
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occurs when a person experiences injuries to multiple body parts and organ systems. polytrauma.va.gov
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productivity centers
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ensure that hospital productivity is measured as the ratio of outputs to inputs. Outputs capture quantity and quality of care for hospital patients; inputs include staff, equipment, and capital resources applied to patient care. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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proprioception
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is a person’s perception of stimuli relating to its own position, posture, equilibrium, or internal condition. The coordination of movements requires continuous awareness of the position of each limb. britannica.com
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proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, PNF
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is a method of stretching muscles to maximize their flexibility that is often performed with a partner or trainer and that involves a series of contractions and relaxations with enforced stretching during the relaxation phase. merriam-webster.com
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proximal
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means located toward the center of the body. merriam-webster.com
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proximal interphalangeal joints, PIP
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are commonly known as the middle knuckles of the fingers. The thumb does not have a PIP joint. They are synovial joints located where two phalanges meet. arthritis-health.com
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proximal transverse palmar crease
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is below the distal crease and somewhat parallel to it, running from one end of your hand to the other. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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pulse oximeter
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measures oxygen saturation. It is a noninvasive device placed over a person’s finger. It measures light wavelengths to determine the ratio of the current levels of oxygenated hemoglobin to deoxygenated hemoglobin. The use of pulse oximetry has become a standard of care in medicine. It is often regarded as a fifth vital sign. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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pulse—temporal, carotid, branchial, femoral, radial, popliteal, dorsalis pedis
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occurs when the heart pushes blood into the aorta. The blood’s impact on the elastic walls creates a pressure wave that continues along the arteries. This impact is the pulse. All arteries have a pulse, but it is most easily felt at points where the vessel approaches the surface of the body. The pulse is readily distinguished and felt at the following artery locations—temporal at the head; carotid at the neck; branchial at the elbow; femoral at the groin; radial on the wrist; popliteal on the knee; and dorsalis pedis on the foot. britannica.com
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Purdue Pegboard Test, PPT
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tests fingertip dexterity and gross movement of the hand, fingers and arm in patients with upper extremity impairments resulting from neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. The pegboard is a rectangular board with four concave cups containing pegs at the top and two sets of 25 vertical holes. The client is scored on putting the pegs in the holes as fast as possible for 30 seconds. strokengine.cc
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Q
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R
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radial
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refers to a body part, such as an artery, lying near or following the course of the radius. merriam-webster.com
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radial nerve
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innervates the triceps, anconeus, and brachioradialis muscles, eight extensors of the wrist and digits, and one abductor of the hand; it is also sensory to part of the hand. britannica.com
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radius
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in medical terms is the bone in the lower part of your arm on the same side as your thumb. britannica.com
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range of motion, ROM
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refers to how far you can move or stretch a part of your body, such as a joint or a muscle. It’s different for each person. For example, some people can do complete splits, but others can’t—their joints aren’t loose and their muscles won’t lengthen as far. webmd.com
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rate of perceived dyspnea, RPD
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is shortness of breath and a subjective symptom reported by patients. It is an uncomfortable abnormal awareness of breathing and the most common cause of respiratory limitation of activity in patients with pulmonary disease. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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rate of perceived exertion, RPE
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is the measure of your exercise intensity. The RPE scale runs from 0-10. The numbers relate to phrases used to rate how easy or difficult you find an activity. For example, 0—nothing at all—would be how you feel when sitting in a chair; 10—very, very heavy—is how you feel at the end of an exercise stress test or after a very difficult activity. my.clevelandclinic.org
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Raynaud’s Phenomenon
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is a condition occurring primarily in young women that is characterized by spasms in the arteries to the fingers that cause the fingertips to become first pale and then cyanotic—bluish—upon exposure to cold or in response to emotional stress. britannica.com
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remedial; remediation approach
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is an approach to intervention that is targeted towards improving performance components, with the assumption that such improvements will lead to enhanced occupational performance. britannica.com
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respiration rate, RR
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is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. The rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises. Respiration rates may increase with fever, illness, and other medical conditions. hopkinsmedicine.org
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rheumatoid arthritis, RA
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is a chronic, frequently progressive disease in which inflammatory changes occur throughout the connective tissues of the body. britannica.com
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Rood approach
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is a neurodevelopmental treatment for clients with central nervous system damage developed by Margret Rood to improve both flaccid and spastic muscles tone. physiosimplified.com
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Roos’ test; elevated arm stress test, EAST
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c vis used to assess for thoracic outlet syndrome. Have the client flex their arms and elbows to 90 degrees with their elbows braced somewhat posteriorly. Have the client open and close their fists at a moderate speed for three minutes. A positive test reproduces the patient’s usual symptoms within three minutes. Roos’ test is believed to stress all of the three intervals since this position places the arterial, venous, and nervous systems in tension. According to Gillard et al. (2001), the Roos’ test had a sensitivity of 84 percent and a specificity of 30 percent. physio-pedia.com
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S
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SpO2, oxygen saturation
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is the oxygen saturation reading on a pulse oximeter. It shows how much oxygen your blood is carrying as a percentage of the maximum it could carry. For a healthy individual, the normal SpO2 should be between 96 percent to 99 percent. my.clevelandclinic.org
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self-range of motion, SROM
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is passive range of motion performed by the client alone, generally a nonaffected limb will assist an affected one. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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scalene muscles
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are the three muscles found on each side of the neck, spanning between the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and the upper two ribs. These muscles are the scalenus anterior—anterior scalene, scalenus medius—middle scalene, and scalenus posterior—posterior scalene. merriam-webster.com
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scapula
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is either of two large bones of the shoulder girdle in vertebrates. In humans, they are triangular and lie on the upper back between the levels of the second and eighth ribs and also called the shoulder blade. britannica.com
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sciatic nerve
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is the largest and thickest nerve of the human body that is the principal continuation of all the roots of the sacral plexus. It emerges from the spinal cord in the lumbar portion of the spine and runs down through the buttocks and the back of the thigh. Above the back of the knee, it divides into the tibial and the common peroneal nerve, both of which serve the lower leg and foot. britannica.com
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Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test,
SWM |
is a clinical test that measures the response to a touching sensation of the monofilaments using a numerical quantity. Developed by Josephine Semmes and Sidney Weinstein to detect patients at risk of neuropathic ulceration, and it is a clinical tool used to evaluate peripheral nerve injuries and compression syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, before or after recovery. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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sepsis
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is a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection that can spread into the bloodstream, causing rampant infection called septicemia. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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Snellen Eye Chart
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is used to measure visual acuity by determining the level of visual detail that a person can discriminate. The patient covers one eye and reads aloud the letters on the Snellen chart, beginning at the top and moving toward the bottom. The smallest row of letters that the patient reads accurately determines visual acuity in the uncovered eye. The test is repeated with the other eye, and then with both eyes together. britannica.com
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somatosensation; somatic sensation
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means body sensations, such as tactile—touch and proprioceptive senses that contribute to the body’s perception of position and limb movement, including pressure, warmth, and vibration sensations. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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sphygmomanometer; blood pressure cuff
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is an instrument for measuring blood pressure. Also called a blood pressure cuff, it consists of an inflatable rubber cuff, which is wrapped around the upper arm and is inflated to stop the flow of blood in your artery. Use a stethoscope to listen to the blood pumping through the artery. These pumping sounds register on a gauge attached to the cuff. The first pumping sound you hear is recorded as the systolic pressure, and the last sound is the diastolic pressure. britannica.com
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spinal cord disease
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is the nontraumatic tumors, infections, inflammation, and autoimmune or degenerative processes that damage the spinal cord tissue. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward
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spinal cord injury, SCI
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is any of various conditions caused by damage to the tract of nerves that extends from the base of the brain through the canal of the spinal column. britannica.com
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spinal cord injury, complete SCI;
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means there is no nerve communication and motor function—voluntary movement—below the site where the trauma occurred. ninds.nih.gov
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spinal cord injury, incomplete SCI
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means the spinal cord is still able to transmit some messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body. ninds.nih.gov
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stereognosis
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means to perceive, or the perception of material qualities such as shape of an object by handling or lifting it—tactile recognition. merriam-webster.com
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stethoscope
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is a medical instrument for detecting sounds produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through rubber tubing connected with a piece placed upon the area to be examined. The binaural type has two flexible rubber tubes attaching the chest piece to spring-connected metal tubes with earpieces. In listening to heart sounds, in particular, it is necessary to use both a bell-shaped, open-ended chest piece, which transmits low-pitched sounds well, and the flat chest piece covered with a semirigid disk—diaphragm type—that detects sounds of higher frequency. merriam-webster.com
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stroke, CVA
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is a cerebrovascular accident—a sudden impairment of brain function due to hypoxia, a deficient amount of oxygen to the tissues, which may cause death of brain tissue. A stroke is when blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either by a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel. britannica.com
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subluxation
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is a partial dislocation of one of the bones in a joint and is associated with a fracture, a slight misalignment of the vertebrae. merriam-webster.com
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supination
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is the rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm faces forward or upward. It also corresponds to the foot and leg movement in which the foot rolls outward with an elevated arch. merriam-webster.com
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systolic
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is the period of contraction of the ventricles of the heart that occurs between the first and second heart sounds of the cardiac cycle—the sequence of events in a single heartbeat. merriam-webster.com
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T
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tachycardia
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is the medical term for a heart rate over 100 beats a minute. Many types of irregular heart rhythms—arrhythmias can cause tachycardia. britannica.com
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telemetry
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is the process of using special equipment to take measurements of something such as pressure, speed, or temperature and send them by radio to another place. A telemetry machine is a portable device that continuously monitors a patient’s ECG, respiratory rate and oxygen saturations while automatically transmitting information to a central monitor. britannica.com
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tenodesis
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is a surgical procedure that is typically used to treat injuries to the biceps’ tendon in the shoulder. These injuries may occur due to tendonitis, an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, or from overuse or a trauma to the shoulder area. orthomedctr.com
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thenar eminence
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is the fleshy mound at the base of the thumb. The hypothenar eminence is the mound located at the base of the little finger. The eminences at either side of the hand are made up of muscles. The muscles located in the thenar eminence function primarily to control the thumb.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
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thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis, TLSO
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is a back brace used to limit motion in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions of the spine—your back, not your neck. It is used to treat stable fractures, or after surgery, to the thoracic—middle and or lumbar —lower region of the spine. svhm.org
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thoracic outlet syndrome, TOS
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is the name for a spectrum of symptoms caused by compression of the brachial nerve plexus, which innervates the arm, and the subclavian artery and vein that provide blood circulation to the arm. britannica.com
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Tinel’s sign
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is a tingling or pins-and-needles sensation felt in the distal portion of a limb upon percussion of the skin over a regenerating nerve in the limb. merriam-webster.com
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tone
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is the continuous state of muscle contraction. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward.
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trans-cerebral
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means through or across the cerebrum. merriam-webster.com
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transcranial
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means through or across the cranium. merriam-webster.com
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transfer boards
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are assistive devices used to increase the safety of transfers. Transfer boards are flat, smooth boards. They vary in length, weight-bearing capacity, weight, shape, and function and are sometimes called slide boards. Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants, by Amy Mahle, Amber Ward.
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transthoracic
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means done or made by way of the thoracic cavity. merriam-webster.com
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transverse carpal ligament; trans-carpal ligament
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is the flexible, slightly elastic cord that lies on top of the carpal tunnel at the wrist. This ligament connects the bones to each other where the wrist and palm meet. The transverse carpal ligament may be cut during surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. britannica.com
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traumatic brain injury, TBI
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is an acquired brain injury caused by external force. merriam-webster.com
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two-point discrimination tool
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is the ability to localize two points of pressure on the surface of the skin and to identify them as discrete sensations. medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
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U
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Uhthoff’s phenomenon
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is a transient worsening of neurological function lasting less than twenty-four hours that can occur in multiple sclerosis patients due to increases in core body temperature.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
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ulnar nerve, C8T1
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serves two flexor muscles and a variety of small muscles of the wrist and hand. britannica.com
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Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale
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is the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). It is a comprehensive fifty-question assessment of both motor and non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. parkinsons.org.uk
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urinary tract infection, UTI
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is inflammation of the renal system characterized by frequent and painful urination and caused by the invasion of microorganisms, usually bacteria, into the urethra and bladder. Infection of the urinary tract can result in either minor or major illness. britannica.com
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V
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vasoconstriction
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is the narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels, such as when you get cold, the blood vessels constrict. merriam-webster.com
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vasodilation
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is the widening of the lumen of blood vessels, such as when you get hot, the blood vessels’ muscular walls relax and widen, increasing blood flow into that tissue area. merriam-webster.com
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venous access port
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is a central venous access device that allows doctors to easily access your veins to give treatments and to take blood. It is made of a non-irritant material and is designed to be inserted under your skin and remain in place for weeks or months. cirse.org
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venous catheter or line
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is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein, usually below the right collarbone, and guided or threaded into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava. It is used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and other drugs. cancer.gov
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ventral anterior
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refers to the front part of the body, whereas dorsal, posterior, refers to the back portion of the body. The terms ventral and dorsal are also often used to describe the relative location of a body part. openmd.com
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ventricular fibrillation,
VFib, V-fib, or VF |
is a type of irregular heart rhythm—arrhythmia, in which the lower heart chambers contract in a very rapid and uncoordinated manner. As a result, the heart doesn’t pump blood to the rest of the body. VFib is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It’s the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. mayoclinic.org
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viscosity
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is the quality or state of being viscous: a sticky or glutinous consistency is the thickness of a liquid. As liquid gets colder, it becomes thicker. merriam-webster.com
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volar
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means relating to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot, specifically, located on the same side as the palm of the hand. For example, the volar surface of the forearm is the portion of the forearm that is on the same side as the palm of the hand. merriam-webster.com
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W
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Warren’s Visual Perception Hierarchical Model
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is a hierarchical model for evaluating and treating visual perceptual dysfunction in adult acquired brain injury. Mary Warren, an OT, pioneered and expanded the role of the OT in vision rehabilitation. In her visual perception model, each skill is dependent on the one before it, and a deficit in that skill will affect the next skill on the hierarchy. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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Wolff’s Law
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is the idea that natural healthy bones will adapt and change to adapt to the stress that it is subjected to. For example, if the bones are subjected to heavier and heavier loads, they will naturally reconstruct themselves to accommodate that weight. Likewise, if you don’t place any demands on a bone, the bone tissue will weaken over time. Wolff’s Law can be applied to a variety of things, including physical therapy and the treatment of osteoporosis and bone fractures. webmd.com
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