When should patients begin transitioning to functional tasks in treatment?

Transitioning patients to functional tasks in treatment is ideally initiated by the fourth week of treatment. This timing aligns with the principle of progressively integrating skills learned during therapy into meaningful activities that reflect real-life situations. By this point, patients have typically developed a foundational level of movement skills through their initial exercises and will benefit from applying these skills in functional contexts.

Starting this transition by the fourth week allows for ample time to address any remaining impairments while also ensuring that the patient is prepared and confident enough to engage in tasks that closely mimic their daily activities. This approach not only aids in skill application but also promotes motivation and carries over improvements into their everyday lives.

While some patients might start earlier depending on their specific progress and needs, initiating functional tasks by the fourth week is a standard recommendation to optimize the rehabilitation process within the LSVT BIG framework.