Which of the following is an occupation-based measure of improvement in hand therapy?

• A. ROM degrees
• B. Pain severity
• C. Ability to perform daily tasks
• D. Grip strength endurance

Answer: (C)

Occupation-based measures look at how a person actually functions in daily life and meaningful tasks. In hand therapy, progress is most meaningful when it shows the patient can perform daily activities independently, such as dressing, grooming, cooking, or managing personal care. This reflects real-world hand function and participation, not just what the joint can do in isolation. ROM degrees quantify how much a joint moves, which is an impairment measure and doesn’t necessarily translate to task performance. Pain severity is about symptom intensity, and grip strength endurance measures capacity without tying it to any specific task. So being able to perform daily tasks best captures improvement that matters in everyday life.