Which statement most accurately describes the TART criteria for somatic dysfunction?

Which statement most accurately describes the TART criteria for somatic dysfunction?

• A. The TART criteria include tenderness to palpation, asymmetry of position, restriction of motion, and tissue texture change
• B. The TART criteria include temperature changes only
• C. TART includes stiffness only
• D. TART includes skin color changes

Answer: (A)

TART criteria describe what clinicians palpate when evaluating somatic dysfunction in osteopathic practice. The four components are Tissue texture changes, Asymmetry, Restriction of motion, and Tenderness. Tissue texture changes refer to palpable alterations in the tissue—such as bogginess, thickening, edema, or other changes in the consistency of the skin and fascia. Asymmetry means a relative difference in structure or motion between paired regions or along the spine or pelvis. Restriction of motion points to a limited range of motion in a joint or segment due to somatic dysfunction. Tenderness is pain provoked by palpation of a region. The statement that lists all four components—tenderness, asymmetry, restriction of motion, and tissue texture change—is the best description of TART. Temperature changes, stiffness alone, or skin color changes can occur with dysfunction but are not part of the TART fourfold criteria.

TART criteria describe what clinicians palpate when evaluating somatic dysfunction in osteopathic practice. The four components are Tissue texture changes, Asymmetry, Restriction of motion, and Tenderness.

Tissue texture changes refer to palpable alterations in the tissue—such as bogginess, thickening, edema, or other changes in the consistency of the skin and fascia. Asymmetry means a relative difference in structure or motion between paired regions or along the spine or pelvis. Restriction of motion points to a limited range of motion in a joint or segment due to somatic dysfunction. Tenderness is pain provoked by palpation of a region.

The statement that lists all four components—tenderness, asymmetry, restriction of motion, and tissue texture change—is the best description of TART. Temperature changes, stiffness alone, or skin color changes can occur with dysfunction but are not part of the TART fourfold criteria.