Reliability and Agreement of Neck Functional Capacity Evaluation Tests in Patients With Chronic Multifactorial Neck Pain

Tele-Assessment of Functional Capacity: Validity, Intra- and Inter-rater Reliability

BACKGROUND

Functional capacity evaluation is a standardized tool that assesses work-related skills. Although there are different test batteries, the most frequently used one is Work Well Systems. This study aims to determine the validity and inter- and intra-rater reliability of remote implementation of functional capacity tests (repetitive reaching, lifting object overhead, and working overhead) in asymptomatic individuals.

METHODS

A total of 51 asymptomatic individuals were included in the study. Participants completed all tests both face-to-face and remotely. Remote assessment videos were rewatched by the same researcher and different researchers for intra- and inter-rater reliability. All processes were scored by two independent researchers.

RESULTS

Remotely performing repetitive reaching (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.85-0.92, p < .001), lifting object overhead (ICC: 0.98, p < .001), and working overhead (ICC: 0.88 p < .001) tests are valid and reliable.

DISCUSSION

Repetitive reaching, lifting an object overhead, and sustained overhead work tests in the Work Well Systems-Functional Capacity Evaluation test battery can be performed remotely through videoconferencing. Remotely evaluating these tests, which are especially important in work-related situations, may be important in pandemic conditions and hybrid working conitions.

Effects of spinal stabilization exercises delivered using telerehabilitation on outcomes in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

When spinal stabilization exercises (SSE) are performed regularly, may provide benefits on outcome measures in chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP) patients. The pandemic has made it difficult for CNNP patients to access regular physiotherapy-exercise services. This study aims to compare telerehabilitation (TR) with face-to-face rehabilitation in CNNP.

METHODS

Neck Functional Capacity Evaluation Test (NFCET) results were the primary outcomes. Pain intensity (PI), disability, awareness, neck muscles architecture, andexercise satisfaction were the secondary outcomes. Patients were randomized into the TR group (TRG) (n = 15) and the control group (CG) (n = 16). Patients performed SSE 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. The TRG was instructed remotely while the CG was instructed in the clinic.

RESULTS

After 8 weeks in both groups, NFCET values and neck awareness increased (p < 0.05), PI and disability decreased (p < 0.05).      Muscle architecture improved in both groups (p < 0.05), except for the Right Sternocleidomastoideus in both groups and the Right Upper-Trapezius in TRG (p > 0.05). There was no difference between the groups for all variables and exercise satisfaction(p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SSE for CNNP, whether supervised by therapists in the clinic or by telerehabilitation, was equally effective.

THE CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

NCT04691024.

Functional Capacity Evaluation Research: Report from the Fourth International Functional Capacity Evaluation Research Meeting

Purpose To summarize progress of functional capacity evaluation (FCE) research based on the proceedings of the Fourth International FCE Research Conference held in Switzerland on September 21 and 22, 2018. Methods A scientific committee identified key issues in FCE research and developed the program including key note presentations, a call for abstracts, and round table discussions over 2 days. Highlights of the presentations and discussions are summarized in this article. Results Seventy-nine participants from 11 countries attended the conference where 10 keynote lectures and 21 abstracts were presented. There was also an open discussion regarding the need for an International FCE clinical practice guideline (CPG), methods for developing such a guideline, and practical next steps. Full program details and abstracts from this Fourth International FCE Research Conference are available from https://www.sar-reha.ch/interessengemeinschaften/ig-ergonomie.html . Conclusions Researchers and clinicians continue to increase the body of knowledge in the FCE field. A major finding of this conference is the diversity across the different FCE protocols and research groups as well as of the different uses of FCE across cultural and social economic systems. Next steps will include exploring the development of an international, interdisciplinary, evidence-based FCE clinical practice guideline by a committee formed at the conference.

Systematic review of the measurement properties of performance-based functional tests in patients with neck disorders

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this systematic review is to identify and synthesise studies evaluating performance-based functional outcome measures designed to evaluate the functional abilities of patients with neck pain.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search using PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, COCHRANE, Google Scholar and a citation mapping strategy was conducted until July 2019.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

More than half of the study's patient population had neck pain or a musculoskeletal neck disorder and completed a functional-based test. Clinimetric properties of at least one performance-based functional tests were reported. Both traumatic and non-traumatic origins of neck pain were considered.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Relevant data were then extracted from selected articles using an extraction guide. Selected articles were appraised using the Quality Appraisal for Clinical Measurement Research Reports Evaluation Form (QACMRR).

RESULTS

The search obtained 12 articles which reported on four outcome measures (functional capacity evaluations (FCE), Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment Work Simulator II (BTEWS II), Functional Impairment Test-Hand and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA)) and a physiotherapy test package, to assess the functional abilities in patients with mechanical neck pain. Of the selected papers: one reports content validity, five construct validity, four reliability, one sensitivity to change and one both reliability and construct validity. QACMRR scores ranged from 68% to 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

This review found very good quality evidence that the FIT-HaNSA has excellent inter and intra-rater reliability and very weak to weak convergent validity. Excellent quality evidence of fair test-retest reliability, weak convergent validity and very weak known groups validity for the BTEWS II test was found. Good to excellent quality evidence exists that an FCE battery has poor to excellent reliability and very weak to strong validity. Good to excellent quality of weak to strong validity and trivial to strong effect sizes were found for a physiotherapy test package.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018112358.