Patent ID: 6056671
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of objectively testing the consistency of effort of a patient undergoing a functional capacity assessment by performing a selected exercise protocol over a range of motion and a limited resistance, the method comprising:applying a selected number of indicators at selected points with respect to the patient;directing the patient through the exercise protocol;capturing the patient's movements on a video record;digitizing the video record to obtain a digitized video record including the position of the indicators during the exercise protocol in at least a first direction;tracking the motion of the indicators in the digitized video record in at least the first direction over time;developing a patient data set including numerical performance parameters based, at least in part, on the position and the time of each indicator during the exercise protocol;comparing the numerical performance parameters of the patient data set to at least a first range and a second range of a base data set, wherein the base data set comprises numerical ranges of performance parameters for subjects undergoing the exercise protocol, wherein the first range corresponds to the subjects exerting a true effort and wherein the second range corresponds to the subjects exerting a faked effort; anddetermining the consistency of effort of the patient based, at least in part, on the comparison of the patient data set with the base data set, wherein an effort is consistent if the numerical performance parameters of the patient data set fall within the first range and wherein an effort is inconsistent if the numerical performance parameters of the patient data set fall within the second range.