This test is useful for the following reasons
- Measurements of the pressure exerted by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscles, and helps determine which patients need and would benefit from surgery.
- It can detect muscle action abnormalities, such as impaired stomach motility (an inability of the stomach muscles to contract normally).
- It can detect if impaired peristalsis or other motor abnormalities are causing the chest pain in patients who have GERD.

