The College of Rehabilitation Sciences conducted a seminar titled “Evidence-Based Functional Tests” held on December 15, 2018 at the St. Martin de Porres Building, UST. The resource speaker was CRS alumnus Mr. Paul Christian Rivera, who is currently affiliated with Suncrest Home Health, an Almost Family Company working as Physical Therapist specializing in Geriatrics. Thirteen licensed physical therapists attended the seminar and learned the basic principles of functional tests and how to use the current and evidence-based functional assessment tools in geriatric population.
The speaker introduced and demonstrated several functional tests to the participants such as the four- square step test, Montreal cognitive assessment, 30-second chair stand test, two-minute step in place and many more. These tests measured balance, gait speed, cognition and strength of an individual. To ensure that the participants learned, the speaker asked the participants to administer the tests themselves and let them watch several videos on how to use those tests.
The seminar participants who were mostly practicing physical therapists, learned the importance of a more objective and measurable way of assessing geriatric patients with different types of impairments. Moreover, the seminar gave them the knowledge and skills in using evidence-based functional tests among geriatric patients which can lead to the improvement of the practice.
