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Reliability of Safe Maximum Lifting Determinations of a Functional Capacity Evaluation

DP Gross, PT, BScPT, is a doctoral student, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-48 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G4 (dgross{at}ualberta.ca).
MC Battié, PT, PhD, is Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta

Address all correspondence to Mr Gross

Background and Purpose. Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are measurement tools used in predicting readiness to return to work following injury. The interrater and test-retest reliability of determinations of maximal safe lifting during kinesiophysical FCEs were examined in a sample of people who were off work and receiving workers' compensation. Subjects. Twenty-eight subjects with low back pain who had plateaued with treatment were enrolled. Five occupational therapists, trained and experienced in kinesiophysical methods, conducted testing. Methods. A repeated-measures design was used, with raters testing subjects simultaneously, yet independently. Subjects were rated on 2 occasions, separated by 2 to 4 days. Analyses included intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% confidence intervals. Results. The ICC values for interrater reliability ranged from .95 to .98. Test-retest values ranged from .78 to .94. Discussion and Conclusion. Inconsistencies in subjects' performance across sessions were the greatest source of FCE measurement variability. Overall, however, test-retest reliability was good and interrater reliability was excellent.

Key Words: Functional capacity evaluation • Low back pain • Reliability • Occupational rehabilitation

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				D P Gross and M C Battie Does functional capacity evaluation predict recovery in workers' compensation claimants with upper extremity disorders? Occup. Environ. Med., June 1, 2006; 63(6): 404 - 410. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. P Gross and M. C Battie Factors Influencing Results of Functional Capacity Evaluations in Workers' Compensation Claimants With Low Back Pain Physical Therapy, April 1, 2005; 85(4): 315 - 322. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]