Describe the difference between impairment-focused and function-focused goals in PT and give an example of each.

• A. Impairment goals target body function (e.g., increase ROM); function goals target activity/participation (e.g., walk 200 meters with aid).
• B. Impairment goals target patient satisfaction; function goals target cost reduction.
• C. Impairment goals target participation; function goals target ROM.
• D. Impairment goals target gait speed; function goals target strength.

Answer: (C)

In physical therapy, goals can focus on the body’s function or on what the patient can actually do in daily life. Impairment-focused goals aim to improve the underlying body functions or structures that limit movement, such as range of motion, strength, pain, or endurance. They represent steps that remove physiological barriers to movement. For example, increasing knee flexion ROM from 90° to about 120° to allow a smoother, more complete swing during gait is an impairment-focused goal.

Function-focused goals, by contrast, target activities and participation—the tasks the patient wants or needs to perform. They measure real-world performance and independence. An example would be walking 200 meters with an assistive device, or transferring independently from bed to chair. These goals emphasize meaningful daily functioning and are typically the endpoint patients aim to achieve. Both types are important and are often integrated, with improvements in impairments supporting progress toward functional goals.