Which assessment method is typically used to evaluate a patient's range of motion?

Manual testing is the assessment method typically used to evaluate a patient's range of motion because it involves the clinician actively moving the patient's joints through their full extent while simultaneously feeling for resistance, pain, or any limitations. This hands-on method allows the clinician to assess not only the extent of motion but also the quality of movement, strength, and any associated discomfort, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's musculoskeletal function.

Using manual testing, the clinician can directly observe how well the patient can perform movements and identify any specific areas of restriction or pain. This method is advantageous because it can be easily adapted based on the patient's capabilities and can provide immediate feedback on the patient’s functional ability.

Other methods like palpation primarily focus on feeling tissues rather than measuring movement, visual inspection is limited to observing motion without quantifying it, and instrument measurement typically involves tools to assess degree of motion but does not capture the nuances of muscle performance and joint function as effectively as manual testing does. Therefore, manual testing stands out as the most effective and direct approach for evaluating range of motion in a clinical setting.