Functional Capacity Evaluation

Question 1

What is a functional capacity evaluation, and why do it?

Answer 1

a systematic method of assessing an individual’s ability to perform meaningful tasks safely and independently. An FCE may be completed when information about the functional limitations of a person person within a workplace are required.

Question 2

What kinds of information can be gathered from an FCE?

Answer 2

worker consistency and motivation
worker maximal potential
tolerance for certain postures
lifting/carrying capacity
the need for extra considerations when not physically fit to complete a task
worker risk assessment of re-injury and if fit for work

Question 3

Many concepts come together to comprise a FCE, list 4 possible factors that may be assessed.

Answer 3

Physical screening and interviewing
Physiological measures
Manual dexterity
Postural tolerance
Fitness testing - aerobic, functional strength, balance
Task specific strength and endurance

Question 4

Red and yellow flags are physical and physiological risk factor indicators used to assess the severity of a risk, and hence what actions to take. T/F?

Answer 4

True - Red flags indicate physical risk or need for medical attention. Yellow flags indicate psychosocial factors that increase risk of long-term disability but do not directly cause it.

Question 5

List four red flags you may identify in a workplace.

Answer 5

> unremitting severe pain
> increasing neurological deficit
> dizziness with neck movement
> significant trauma
> unexplained weight loss
> history of cancer
>fever
> intravenous drug use
> steroid use
> pain that gets worse on lying down
> urinary retention
> bilateral neuro symptoms
> saddle anaethesia (loss of sensation between upper thighs)

Question 6

List four yellow flags you may identify in a workplace.

Answer 6

> attitude towards certain pain behaviours (i.e. back pain)
self-destructing behaviours (drug abuse, etc)
family influence (over-protective, lack of support, punitive behaviours)
issues around compensation (due to injury)
poor work ethic/history
with injury, diagnostic or treatment issues (fraudulently seeking compensation benefits)

Question 7

What three attributes of a task indicate its safe end-points?

Answer 7

Biomechanics, Cardiovascular and Psycho-physiological.

Question 8

List two points to consider from each attribute indicated for safe end-points.

Answer 8

Biomech: compensatroy mechanics, postural instability, impaired speed, shaking, numbness of pain.
CV: chest pain, high/low BP, dizziness, nausea, HR>85%max, excessive sweating.
Psych-phys: instructions misunderstood, desire to stop, RPE>17, facial expressions indicative of struggle.

Question 9

What are the testing components of an FCE as determined by work strategies?

Answer 9

Intake interview
Musculotskeletal exam
aerobic capacity assessment
performance consistency testing
material handling
positional tolerance testing
exit testing