Posturodynamic 6 Test: A New Scoring Method for Effective Communication of Results

Abstract

Background: Posturodynamic 6 (PDN-6) is a clinical assessment of posture that merges the Clinical Posturodynamic Test and the Pelvic Maintain Test. Current scoring system does not fulfill all our needs and requirements mostly because the same numeric score might reflect 28 different possible combinations of postural dysfunction in terms of anatomic region and laterality. Objective: We propose a new scoring method for the PDN-6 that would not change the clinical methods for the PDN-6 assessment. Specifically, new scoring method would clearly indicate specific patterns of postural dysfunction while still enabling statistical analyses. Methods: We developed a new scoring method for the PDN-6 without changing the instrument’s clinical procedures. We qualitatively assessed the validity of the new scoring system to detail specific patterns of postural dysfunction in terms of anatomic region and laterality. Results: New scoring method successfully deals with limitations of the previous scoring method. The new method enables clinicians to differentiate among 2 or more patients who might have very different patterns of postural dysfunction while still having the same numeric score using the previous scoring. The new scoring method provides quantitative data that are easily translated in terms of anatomic region and laterality for the postural dysfunctions that are present. Patient behavioral improvements are quantified, documented and interpreted with a change in score, and the exact nature of the improvements can be determined in terms of anatomic location and laterality. Rash analyses can also be used for statistical analyses. Conclusion: PDN-6 new scoring method provides quantitative data that provide more specific information about a patient’s postural deficits and any changes in their postural dysfunction over time without changing the clinical assessment methods.