ADAPTATION TEST (ADT)
Description
ADT Report
Functional Implications
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Description
The ADT assesses a patient's ability to minimize sway when exposed to surface irregularities and unexpected changes in support surface inclination. Sequences of platform rotations in the toes-up or toes-down direction elicit automatic motor responses. For each platform rotation trial, a sway energy score quantifies the magnitude of the force response required to overcome induced postural instability.
Unanticipated toes-up or toes-down rotations elicit automatic responses, which tend to destabilize the patient's balance. During the first (unexpected) trials, the initial disruptive responses are corrected by secondary responses in the opposing muscles. With each subsequent trial, initial reactions are attenuated and secondary responses strengthened to reduce overall sway.
Performance on the ADT requires adequate ankle range of motion and muscle strength, as well as effective motor adaptation.
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ADT Comprehensive Report
- The graphs at the top of the report illustrate the magnitude of the force response required to overcome sway induced by sequences of Toes Up and Toes Down rotational disturbances.
- Magnitude of the force response is plotted on the vertical axis of each graph relative to each trial.
- The center portion of the report displays the Averaged, Raw Sway and Center Of Force data for the five trials.
- The shaded area on each graphic represents performance outside of the normative data range. Green squares indicate performance within the normal range; red squares indicate performance outside the normal range. Normal subjects may or may not show increased sway responses to initial (trial 1) rotations. In either case, sway responses subsequent to the first trial will be small in normal subjects.
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Functional Implications
Encounters with surface irregularities and changes in inclination of the support surface are common in daily life activities. Patients performing abnormally on the ADT tend to have difficulty under these conditions. ADT difficulties can arise because the patient may be unable to suppress inappropriate automatic reactions, and/or the patient may have ankle joint weakness and restricted range of motion.
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