II. Definition
- Formal evaluation of functional capacity as it relates to patient Impairment
- Functional Evaluation is most often directed at work capacity in specific occupations and roles
- Contrast with Disability Evaluation that is not directed at a specific task
III. Indications
- Musculoskeletal Impairment that subjectively limits a patient's work capacity
IV. Evaluation
- Performed by physical therapists and occupational therapists
- Uses a standardized battery of performance based tests
- Typically requires 4-6 hours to perform (up to 2-3 days in some cases)
- Identify a list of body regions required for a specific job
- Identify both maximal and sustainable levels of physical exertion
- Measure what an employee is willing to perform
- Areas of testing
- Strength
- Endurance
- Positional tolerance
- Body mechanics
- Repetitive activity tolerance
- Work simulation
V. Types
- General Evaluation
- Job-Specific Evaluation
VI. Resources: Tools
-
General functioning assessment
- Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
- Functional Activities Questionnaire
- Pain Assessment
- Pain Disability Index
- McGill Pain Questionnaire
- Neck Pain assessment
-
Low Back Pain assessment
- Oswestry Low Back PainDisability Questionnaire
- Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire
- Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
- Upper Extremity assessment
- Disabilities of the Arma, Shoulder and Hand Outcomes Measure (DASH Outcome Measure)
- Upper Extremity Functional Index
- Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire
- Upper Extremity Functional Scale
- Lower Extremity assessment
- Lower Limb Outcomes Questionnaire