Research Plus

Functional capacity testing

Functional capacity tests (FCTs) evaluate individuals’ ability to carry out work-related physical activities. This systematic review (22 studies) looked at the level of evidence for FCT factors associated with chronic non-specific low-back pain. It found high quality evidence for an association between ‘lifting low’ and self-reported disability and specific self-efficacy, but not pain duration. ‘Lifting high’ was associated with gender and specific self-efficacy, but not pain intensity or age. ‘Carrying’ was associated with self-reported disability but not pain duration. ‘Static lifting’ was associated with fear of movement. There was conflicting evidence for various other associations.

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2011; online first: doi 10.1007/s10926-011-9306-4.

Tags back pain evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2011 (vol. 08/1) pp40