Testing and monitoring during rehabilitation: building standardized and repeatable test protocols

By Lode Goossens, Sports physiotherapist and Sports scientist (Ghent University) and founder of Hylyght.

0. The big picture

Rehab for patients is about more than just data. We use evidence-based test batteries to get an objective view of where a patient stands, allowing doctors and physios to tailor rehab.

Many of our clients build standardized and repeatable testing protocols by defining a test battery per injury type, planning tests at consistent milestones and storing all results in one system.

In Hylyght you combine built‑in templates with your own tests and benchmarks, so every therapist can test in the same way with just a few clicks, compare sessions over time and make objective rehab and return‑to‑sport or return-to-activity decisions.

1. Why a repeatable protocol matters

Without standardized protocols, tests can change from session to session and between therapists, making it hard to see true progress, plateaus or setbacks. Writing your approach down forces consistency and lets you compare results objectively over time and across colleagues, which makes decisions about load, exercise progressions and return‑to‑sport much clearer.

2. Define your core test batteries

Start from your most common cases, such as Low Back Pain, Ankle Sprains or ACL rehab. In Hylyght, several evidence‑based test batteries are available out of the box, but every customer can build their own sets with custom tests, cut‑offs and benchmarks tailored to their philosophy, equipment and patient population.

3. Set clear testing moments

A protocol does not need to be complex: sometimes a few simple tests repeated every few weeks are enough to monitor a Frozen Shoulder. For more complex trajectories like ACL, we typically see larger milestone testings to support key decisions – as described in our ACL return‑to‑sport case with Wouter Welling. Each clinic decides how many tests and how much time they want to invest.

4. Use rehab templates so your colleagues can start testing in a few clicks

Many clinics define their key test templates together per pathology and/or per milestone - just like our friends at Kinesitherapie Tille did. These templates live in Hylyght, so colleagues can select the right battery in a few clicks instead of searching lists or writing scores on paper, which boosts efficiency and makes your testing culture less dependent on one “test expert” in the team.

5. Keep reports simple and shareable

Data is useless if it stays buried in a database. A good test protocol ends in a clear conversation. Hylyght reports are highly visual and "at-a-glance" simple. They’re easy for a surgeon or a patient to understand, but the raw metrics are there for when you need to do a deep dive.

6. FAQ about rehab testing

How many tests do I need in a good rehab protocol?

Most users start with the pre-defined test sets and add or remove a few tests. This depends mostly on the equipment they have in the clinic and the time they want to spend. We're big fans of starting small.

Can I use my own tests and benchmarks in Hylyght?

Yes. Hylyght includes ready‑made, evidence‑based test sets, but we can help you customise them with your own tests, benchmarks and cut‑offs so the protocol fits your clinic.

How can I share results with doctors and patients?

Hylyght’s reports show progress over time and to support return‑to‑sport or return‑to‑activity decisions in a way that surgeons and patients can understand at a glance. If you prefer sending a PDF, you can tailor the level of detail to the receiver: a simple, high‑level view for patients, and a more detailed report for the surgeon or sports physician.

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