§ 01
Functional Independence Tests
Clinical fitness assessment

Back Scratch Test

Assess upper body (shoulder) flexibility — important for dressing, reaching, and daily tasks.

Equipment

Ruler or tape measure.

The protocol
  1. 01Client stands upright.
  2. 02Reach one hand over the same shoulder (palm touching the back) and the other hand behind the back (back of hand against the back).
  3. 03Try to touch or overlap the middle fingers of both hands.
  4. 04Measure the distance between the middle fingers: positive if they overlap, negative if there is a gap.
  5. 05Test the preferred side. Best of 2 attempts.
What to watch for
  • Client leaning or arching the back to close the gap.
  • Not measuring from the correct fingers (use middle fingers).
  • Interlocking the fingers (measure the overlap, not the lock).
Normative scoring

Age 60-64: M -16.5 to +2.5 cm, F -7.6 to +3.8 cm. Age 70-74: M -20.3 to +1.3, F -10.2 to +2.5. Age 80-84: M -24.1 to -2.5, F -14.0 to 0.

Run it with GainPT

Run this test with branded client reports.

GainPT scores Back Scratch Test against published normative data and turns it into a clean, GainPT-branded PDF your client keeps. All 47 clinical tests, unlimited retests — free to start, no card required.