Summary

What it measures:

What It Measures and Conditions & Test Variations Included in this Summary:

The Pediatric Reach Test (PRT) is a modified form of the Functional Reach Test (FRT). The PRT measures side reaching as well as forward reaching in both sitting and standing positions. The PRT can be used on typical children and children with disabilities. (1)

ICF Domain(s):

Body Structure and Function

ICF Categories:

Changing and Maintaining Body Positions

Clinical Insights

• The pediatric reach test is recommended for use in practice because of its overall acceptable properties, including reliability, validity, and clinical utility. (8)
• This test is convenient as it takes minimal space and makes use of items that are likely to be found in the clinic already, so there is no extra cost. (8)
• The PRT is a simple and time efficient tool to assess stability in children who may not want to perform multiple tests.
• It may be difficult to administer this test to younger children, especially those aged 2-3 years, due to the complexity of test directions. (2)
• The pediatric reach test may be more difficult for children with lower GMFCS scores or impaired balance, compared with children who are able to balance on their own. The PRT does not always start at 0 on the measure scale, so the clinician will also have to establish start and end points, which may increase the chance of rater error when compared to other tests. (2)