A common functional consequence of hypertonia on activities of daily living is?

• A. Dressing can be difficult due to decreased range of motion
• B. Faster movement during tasks
• C. No impact on ADL tasks
• D. Improved hand function during dressing

Answer: (A)

Hypertonia means increased muscle tone that makes muscles stiff and joints resist movement. This stiffness reduces how far joints can move—the range of motion—so tasks that require smooth, coordinated movements across several joints, like dressing, become challenging. Putting on clothes often needs reaching, twisting, and moving the arms and hands through comfortable ranges; with elevated tone, those movements are resisted, clothing can snag, and extra effort or assistance is needed. That’s why dressing is commonly difficult when hypertonia is present.

The other statements don’t fit because hypertonia typically doesn’t speed up movements, and it does affect daily tasks. It also usually impairs hand function or grip, not improve it, so faster movement, no impact on ADLs, or improved dressing performance aren’t consistent with how hypertonia alters movement.