Dysmetria
Pronunciation: dis-MET-ree-ah
Impaired ability to judge distance and range of movement, resulting in over- or under-reaching.
Full Definition
Dysmetria is a neurological symptom characterized by the inability to accurately judge the distance and range of voluntary movements, leading to movements that overshoot (hypermetria) or undershoot (hypometria) their intended target. This condition is commonly associated with cerebellar dysfunction and can significantly impact functional activities such as reaching for objects, writing, or walking. In physical therapy documentation, dysmetria is often assessed through finger-to-nose tests, heel-to-shin tests, and observation of functional movement patterns.
Usage
Usage note: Specify whether hypermetria or hypometria is observed; document impact on functional activities.
In Context
- "The patient exhibited dysmetria during finger-to-nose testing, consistently overshooting the target." — Neurological assessment
- "Functional reaching was impaired due to dysmetria, requiring compensatory strategies for ADL performance." — Evaluation report