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Abstract

Background: Squatting to toilet seat height is a movement pattern most people do daily. Simple verbal and tactile feedback while squatting can improve an individual’s ability to squat safely and efficiently. The Simple Squat Assessment (SSA) is a screening and intervention tool used to assess an individual’s ability to squat to toilet seat height. Purpose: To determine if intervention through the SSA will improve function and decrease pain when squatting to toilet seat height. Methods: 690 participants were enrolled in the SSA. Participants were asked to squat to toilet seat height (43cm) and were scored from 0-3 for function. Performance improvement was indicated if a participant received a score of 0 or 1. A score of 3 indicated the ability to squat under control, without assistance of hands, without pain, and with proper form. A score of 2 indicates the ability to squat under control, without pain, without assistance, but with improper form. A score of 1 indicates the individual must use hands for assistance to perform this test under control. A score of 0 indicates the individual is unable to perform or has increased pain rated from 0-10 on the pain scale. Pain scores were assessed using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS). Intervention consisted of verbal and tactile feedback to improve form. The participant was then re-tested, re-scored, and asked to re-evaluate their pain post-intervention. Results: 690 participants (137 Males, 553 Females). (Males- 44.7±18.5yrs, Females- 47.9±17.0yrs). 565 individuals scored a 2 or 3 on the SSA. 125 individuals scored a 0 or 1 (110 participants-0, 15 participants-1) and were treated with intervention. 54.4% (68/125) of participants who scored a 0 or 1 were able to improve their score to a 2 or 3 post intervention. 77% (95/125) reported a decrease in pain through intervention. Conclusion: Application of the SSA identifies those individuals who would benefit from simple intervention to reduce pain and improve form of a functional movement that all able individuals must perform daily. Squat mechanics can be improved in a short amount of time that can improve everyday movement.

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