What position should the patient's arms be in during the Piano Keys Test?

During the Piano Keys Test, the patient's arms should be positioned with both arms pronated. This means that the palms of the hands are facing downwards. The pronation of the arms is essential for allowing the tester to properly assess the range of motion and responsiveness of the muscles and joints involved in the test. It facilitates better access to evaluate the function of the wrist and fingers as they mimic the action of playing a piano.

If the arms were elevated or flexed, it could alter the biomechanics of the hand and wrist, potentially leading to inaccurate results. Additionally, positions like supination or flexion could impede the assessment, as they would not accurately replicate the functional movements that the test aims to evaluate. Thus, pronation is the ideal position to ensure that the assessment is valid and reflective of the patient's functional capabilities.