According to Dynamic Chiropractic, physical therapists developed manual muscle testing (MMT) in the 1950s to assess the strength or weakness of certain muscles compared to others. Dynamic Chiropractic notes that today, manual muscle testing is used orthopedists, neurologists and physical therapists across the world. Manual muscle testing allows medical specialists to observe and record range of motion and strength in injured or rehabilitated muscle groups or joints. MMT should only be performed by a qualified, licensed medical professional.
Step 1
Instruct the patient to perform range-of-motion exercises involving the affected muscle group or area. It is important that the patient perform the moves with both the injured side and the healthy side of the body so that the differences can be seen and evaluated. PT Notes says that the patient should perform the moves against gravity, meaning he should have to raise the affected area with gravity as resistance.
Step 2
Apply manual resistance to the patient as she performs the range of motion exercises. Resistance should be applied as the patient can tolerate it, and stop if the patient gives way. For instance, if the patient is raising her arms for shoulder motion, you should apply resistance on the arms, making it harder for the patient to raise her arms.
Step 3
Grade the patient's muscle strength with a manual muscle testing grade. According to PT Notes, MMT grades range from 5, which is a normal range of motion, to 0, which equals no range of motion. A 4 is considered 75-percent strength, a 3 would constitute 50 percent of normal strength, a 2 equals 25 percent of normal strength and a grade of 1 is essentially zero range of motion. These grades are then used to assess strength and progress throughout rehab and strengthening programs.
