Towards Better Understanding of FCE Performance in Different Societal Contexts

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Purposes of this research: To study similarities and differences in FCE performances between participants from different countries, jurisdictions, and evaluators. To study determinants of FCE performance.

Detailed Description
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A considerable amount of research has been made on the safety, reliability and validity of the Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). Evidence is accumulating on different aspects of validity of FCE in healthy workers and in different patient groups, which has indicated that we are measuring a complex construct consisting of biological, psychological and social variables. However, this knowledge is still unstable as the majority of studies stem from a limited amount of countries. The present project focuses on the biopsychosocial factors that influence FCE performance. Participants undergoing an FCE perform differently depending on biological, psychological and social variables, although the latter has been under-researched. Clinicians are currently unable to predict which factors determine the differences in patient's FCE results. In this project, in addition to biological and psychological variables, investigators include a variety of social variables from different countries, jurisdictions, and evaluators, which may help investigators to identify important determinants of FCE performance. Knowing which characteristics and behaviors are associated with better or poorer participant performances may help clinicians to deliver improved FCE services.

Official Title
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Towards Better Understanding of FCE Performance in Different Societal Contexts

Conditions
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Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Functional Capacity Evaluation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Musculoskeletal pain including: back pain, neck pain (including Whiplash-Associated Syndrome grade I or II), upper extremity pain, lower extremity pain. Non-specific pain: without specific medical diagnosis, see also exclusion criteria) . Complaints' duration > 6 weeks Employed or self-employed Language skills sufficient to communicate with the FCE-clinician and fill out the required questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy Tumours Fractures Radicular syndromes Spondylolisthesis grade 3 or 4) Whiplash-Associated Syndrome grade III or IV Other specific diagnoses related to the musculoskeletal System Unstable cardiovascular conditions and other co-morbidity affecting performance or safety during the FCE (i.e. severe depression needing psychiatric referral).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Functional Capacity Evaluation|Assessment of work related physical capacity|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Psychological factor: work related fear of movement (minimum 0 - maximum 10) | The fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire has been validated for this purpose | one day (one measurement only, cross sectional study) | 
| Financial compensation in case of work related disability (% of previous income) |  | one day (one measurement only, cross sectional study) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Work related physical capacity: max weight safely lifted from floor to waist (kg) | This measure is reliable, safe and valid as it is related to physical work capacity. | one day (one measurement only, cross sectional study) | 
| Work related physical capacity: distance walked in 6 minutes (meters) | This measure is reliable, safe and valid as it is related to physical work capacity. | one day (one measurement only, cross sectional study) | 
| Work related physical capacity: grip strength (kg) | This measure is reliable, safe and valid as it is related to physical work capacity. | one day (one measurement only, cross sectional study) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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disability evaluation, psychosocial factors