Safety issues in functional capacity evaluation: Findings from a trial of a new approach for evaluating clients with chronic back pain

Libby Gibson, Jenny Strong*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although safety is recognized as a critical issue in functional capacity evaluations (FCEs), it has rarely been investigated. This paper reports on the findings of a study which examined safety aspects of a new approach to FCE. Fourteen rehabilitation clients with chronic back pain participated in the study. Aspects examined included the pre-FCE screening procedures, the monitoring of performance and safety during the FCE, and the end of FCE measures and follow-up procedures. Support was found for the screening procedures of the approach, particularly blood pressure measurement, and for the combined approach to monitoring of the person's performance from biomechanical, physiological and psychophysical perspectives. Issues for FCE safety in general are identified and discussed, including the importance of screening procedures to determine readiness for FCEs and the issue of load handling in FCEs, especially in relation to clients with chronic back pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)237-251
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2005
Externally publishedYes

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