Rapid ADL Screening using the Sock Test

Groups audience: 

Nurses and students can learn to screen for ADL deficits using a modified “sock test." The modified sock test is simple – the nurse or student simply asks the patient to doff and don a shoe and a sock. This task taps a patient’s ability to do lower extremity dressing, which is the most demanding ADL task, as it requires lower extremity strength, axial flexibility, dynamic sitting balance, and manual dexterity.

  • How to interpret the test:

    Patients who are able to perform the sock test with ease will typically be able to perform other ADLs. Patients who have difficulty performing one or more aspects of the sock test will require some assistance in the home, if the problem is not remedied.

    As you do the sock test, note the nature of any difficulties the patient experiences. These observations provide a basis for further assessment and development of a care plan to treat the underlying causes. Once nurses and nursing students develop the habit of making assessments such as the sock test, they will also find that there are many other useful observations that can be made along the way.

  • Here's why you should consider using this approach:

    When assessing patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), nurses often rely on patient or family report alone. Although it is important to know the patient’s perception of their ADL performance, failing to directly observe performance can lead to an under-estimate or over-estimate of patients’ abilities.

  • For More Information:

    Websites that showcase adaptive equipment to compensate for ADL deficits:
    Search the NIDDR-supported website that contains a database for adaptive equipment:
    http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=12180&deep=2&trail...