ISCO-08 3255
Physiotherapy technicians and assistants
29.1%
ADI · 254th of 433 · 95% interval 18.9–40.8
An AI agent can at least partly carry out 29.1% of the task time of physiotherapy technicians and assistants, and finish 0.3% alone. Most of the rest requires physical presence.
ADI · partial or full29.1%
254th of 433 · interval 18.9–40.8
ADI3 · full delegation0.3%
190th of 433 · interval 0.0–1.1
ADIs · share of time25.9%
267th of 433 · interval 20.4–31.8
Evidence89
task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 1.1 million.
Task weight by level
How the tasks rate
L0No meaningful role · 42.7%L1Augmentation · 28.2%L2Partial delegation · 28.7%L3Full delegation · 0.3%
Barriers
What stops the agent
Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.
89 task statements, heaviest first
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Weight | Level | Sonnet · Haiku | Share | Human time | Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.Massage Therapists | 3.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.Massage Therapists | 3.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.Massage Therapists | 3.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 40% | 20 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.Massage Therapists | 2.9% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 25 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.Massage Therapists | 2.8% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 35 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Maintain treatment records.Massage Therapists | 2.8% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 10 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.Massage Therapists | 2.8% | L1 | L1L1 | 11% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.Massage Therapists | 2.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.Massage Therapists | 2.5% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 1.1 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.5% | L0 | L0L0 | 5% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.4% | L1 | L1L1 | 22% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 14 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.3% | L1 | L1L1 | 18% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.1% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 5 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.0% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 38 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
Show the other 74 tasks
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Weight | Level | Sonnet · Haiku | Share | Human time | Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.Physical Therapist Assistants | 2.0% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 12 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.Massage Therapists | 1.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 20 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 12 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.Physical Therapist Assistants · supplemental task | 1.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 6% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 20 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.Massage Therapists | 1.7% | L0 | L0L1 | 9% | 28 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.5% | L0 | L1L0 | 8% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.Massage Therapists | 1.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 18 min | Accountability, Trust and care |
| Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.Physical Therapist Assistants · supplemental task | 1.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 10 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being.Massage Therapists · supplemental task | 1.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.2% | L1 | L1L1 | 11% | 38 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.1% | L0 | L0L1 | 9% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.Orthoptists | 1.1% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 35 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.Orthoptists | 1.1% | L1 | L1L1 | 14% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.Massage Therapists | 1.0% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 38 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.Orthoptists | 1.0% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.Orthoptists | 1.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 42% | 20 min | Accountability, Trust and care |
| Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.Physical Therapist Assistants | 1.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.Orthoptists | 1.0% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.Orthoptists | 1.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 20 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Document patients' histories, including identifying data, chief complaints, illnesses, previous medical or family histories, or psychosocial characteristics.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 42 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Interview patients to document symptoms and health histories.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 50 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.Orthoptists | 0.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 48% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Educate patients about health care management.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 30 min | Accountability, Trust and care |
| Advise patients about therapeutic exercise and nutritional medicine regimens.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 42 min | Accountability, Trust and care |
| Administer, dispense, or prescribe natural medicines, such as food or botanical extracts, herbs, dietary supplements, vitamins, nutraceuticals, and amino acids.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 40% | 38 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or patients with disabilities.Orthoptists | 0.9% | L1 | L1L1 | 18% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Diagnose health conditions, based on patients' symptoms and health histories, laboratory and diagnostic radiology test results, or other physiological measurements, such as electrocardiograms and electroencephalographs.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.8% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 45 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Conduct physical examinations and physiological function tests for diagnostic purposes.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 12% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.Acupuncturists | 0.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.Acupuncturists | 0.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.Acupuncturists | 0.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.Acupuncturists | 0.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.Physical Therapist Assistants | 0.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 5% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.Acupuncturists | 0.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 40% | 1.5 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.Acupuncturists | 0.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 42 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Administer treatments or therapies, such as homeopathy, hydrotherapy, Oriental or Ayurvedic medicine, electrotherapy, and diathermy, using physical agents including air, heat, cold, water, sound, or ultraviolet light to catalyze the body to heal itself.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.7% | L0 | L0L1 | 8% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses.Acupuncturists | 0.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 20 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.Acupuncturists | 0.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Collect medical histories and general health and lifestyle information from patients.Acupuncturists | 0.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 25 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Assess patients' general physical appearance to make diagnoses.Acupuncturists | 0.6% | L0 | L1L0 | 10% | 12 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Educate patients on topics, such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.Acupuncturists | 0.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Analyze physical findings and medical histories to make diagnoses according to Oriental medicine traditions.Acupuncturists | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 42 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.Physical Therapist Assistants | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 4.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Provide training related to clinical methods or orthoptics to students, resident physicians, or other health professionals.Orthoptists | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 42% | 1.8 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists, or other specialists in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases.Orthoptists | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.Orthoptists | 0.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Consider Western medical procedures in health assessment, health care team communication, and care referrals.Acupuncturists | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 40% | 30 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Prepare diagnostic or treatment reports for other medical practitioners or therapists.Orthoptists | 0.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 38 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Consult with other health professionals to provide optimal patient care, referring patients to traditional health care professionals as necessary.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 48% | 30 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Apply heat or cold therapy to patients using materials, such as heat pads, hydrocollator packs, warm compresses, cold compresses, heat lamps, or vapor coolants.Acupuncturists | 0.5% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Obtain medical records from previous physicians or other health care providers for the purpose of patient evaluation.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 45 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Order diagnostic imaging procedures such as radiographs (x-rays), ultrasounds, mammograms, and bone densitometry tests, or refer patients to other health professionals for these procedures.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 11 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Treat medical conditions, using techniques such as acupressure, shiatsu, or tuina.Acupuncturists | 0.5% | L0 | L0L1 | 9% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Assist ophthalmologists in diagnostic ophthalmic procedures, such as ultrasonography, fundus photography, and tonometry.Orthoptists | 0.4% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Conduct periodic public health maintenance activities such as immunizations and screenings for diseases and disease risk factors.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Dispense herbal formulas and inform patients of dosages and frequencies, treatment duration, possible side effects, and drug interactions.Acupuncturists | 0.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 42% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Formulate herbal preparations to treat conditions considering herbal properties, such as taste, toxicity, effects of preparation, contraindications, and incompatibilities.Acupuncturists | 0.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 38 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Maintain professional development through activities such as postgraduate education, continuing education, preceptorships, and residency programs.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 5.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Prescribe synthetic drugs under the supervision of medical doctors or within the allowances of regulatory bodies.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 38% | 22 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Perform mobilizations and high-velocity adjustments to joints or soft tissues, using principles of massage, stretching, or resistance.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.4% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Apply moxibustion directly or indirectly to patients using Chinese, non-scarring, stick, or pole moxa.Acupuncturists | 0.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 3% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Perform venipuncture or skin pricking to collect blood samples.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 12 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Monitor updates from public health agencies to keep abreast of health trends.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.3% | L3 | L3L3 | 88% | 45 min | – |
| Perform therapeutic wound care.Physical Therapist Assistants · supplemental task | 0.3% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 35 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Participate in clinical research projects.Orthoptists | 0.3% | L2 | L2L2 | 40% | 5.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Perform minor surgical procedures, such as removing warts, moles, or cysts, sampling tissues for skin cancer or lipomas, and applying or removing sutures.Naturopathic Physicians · supplemental task | 0.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 3% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Treat minor cuts, abrasions, or contusions.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.3% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 20 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Present or publish scientific papers.Orthoptists | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 7.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Report patterns of patients' health conditions, such as disease status and births, to public health agencies.Naturopathic Physicians | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 45 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Perform vision screening of children in schools or community health centers.Orthoptists | 0.1% | L0 | L0L1 | 18% | 2.1 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.
Against other measures
Exposure is not delegation
| Measure | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| ADI (this index) | 29.1% | 42 |
| Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β | 0.213 | 38 |
| Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure | -0.298 | 44 |
| Webb (2020), AI patent exposure | 22.9 | 14 |
| Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure | 0.079 | 31 |
| Anthropic Economic Index, observed use | 0.007 | 37 |
Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.
Same sub-major group (32)
Neighbouring occupations
Dashed line: physiotherapy technicians and assistants (29.1%).
Cite this record
Text
Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Physiotherapy technicians and assistants (ISCO-08 3255), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/3255
BibTeX
@misc{espinal2026adidata,
title = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
author = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Zenodo},
version = {v2026.1},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
note = {Record: Physiotherapy technicians and assistants (ISCO-08 3255)}
}Machine-readable
The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/3255.json.