Role of Physical Performance Component Evaluations in Occupational Therapy Functional Assessment

In the 1970s, occupational therapy assessments tended to focus on physical performance component (PPC) evaluations such as strength and range of motion; assessment of occupational performance played a secondary role. Given changes within and outside the profession of occupational therapy, it is time for the assessment of occupation and role performance to assume a primary role, while PPC evaluation should shift to a secondary role. Although PPC evaluations may be less prominent than in the past, they will continue to play an important role in occupational therapy practice and research. Therapists need to be critical consumers of PPC measurement tools because many require further development to validate their use for occupational therapy purposes.