Improved functional capacity evaluation performance predicts successful return to work one year after completing a...

Area of Science:

• Occupational medicine
• Rehabilitation science
• Musculoskeletal disorders

Background:

• Chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMDs) pose significant challenges to patient function and return to work.
• Functional restoration programs aim to improve patient capacity through interdisciplinary, multimodal treatment.
• Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are used to assess a patient's physical abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if FCE scores reflect functional improvements following treatment.
• To assess the predictive validity of FCE scores at discharge for subsequent work outcomes.

Main Methods:

• An interdisciplinary cohort study collected prospective data from 354 patients with CDOMDs undergoing functional restoration.
• Patients completed FCEs at admission and discharge, yielding physical demand levels (PDLs).
• Work return and 1-year work retention were evaluated as socioeconomic outcomes.

Main Results:

• 96% of patients showed improved PDLs from admission to discharge.
• 56% achieved discharge PDLs meeting or exceeding job requirements (P < .001).
• Lifting capacity increased by approximately 50% (P < .001), and discharge PDLs predicted work return and retention (P < .001).

Conclusions:

• FCE scores are responsive to functional restoration treatment.
• Discharge FCE physical demand levels effectively predict return to work and sustained employment post-treatment.