White Paper: Movement System Diagnoses in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Area of Science:

• Neurologic Physical Therapy
• Movement System Science

Background:

• The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) envisions physical therapists transforming society through optimized movement.
• Integrating the movement system and developing movement system diagnoses are crucial for this vision.
• Current diagnostic classifications for movement system problems lack consensus and consistency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for developing, testing, and validating movement system diagnoses.
• To report on the work and recommendations of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy's Movement System Task Force.
• To focus on the management of movement system problems in patients with neurologic conditions.

Main Methods:

• The Task Force identified 4 essential elements for developing and implementing movement system diagnoses in neurologic patients.
• Considered the impact of movement system diagnoses on clinical practice, education, and research.
• Developed recommendations for future steps to advance the discussion and framework.

Main Results:

• Identified key elements for creating movement system diagnoses for neurologic conditions.
• Assessed the potential influence of these diagnoses on various professional domains.
• Formulated recommendations for the development and adoption of a diagnostic framework.

Conclusions:

• Diagnostic classifications for movement system problems require development, testing, and validation.
• The long-range goal is to achieve consensus and adoption of a movement system diagnostic framework for neurologic conditions.
• Further discussion and research are recommended to broaden the development of these classifications.