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At ErgoScience, we understand the importance of injury prevention. Our programs are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to stay safe and healthy.

Expand Your Knowledge

Access valuable resources to improve your knowledge and skills for treating, managing and evaluating patients with workplace musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

In our ErgoScience Resources section, you'll find a wealth of information to help you better understand workplace MSD treatment, management, and evaluation. Download informative whitepapers, explore insightful articles, and view informative webinars, all designed to help you make informed decisions for your patients with work-related injuries.

eBook:

Marketing Your
Industrial Rehab Services

In the industrial rehabilitation practice niche, there are a variety of services that clinics can provide. In contrast to other practice niches, the opportunities for injury and disability prevention may exceed the opportunities for treatment and return to work services.

Research:

Reliability and Validity of a Newly Developed Test of Physical Work Performance.

This study examined the interrater reliability and validity of a newly developed test of physical work abilities, the Physical Work Performance Evaluation. Eleven physical therapists were trained to administer and score the test. Two therapists simultaneously but independently evaluated 50 patients with musculoskeletal disorders as they performed the test. Each therapist determined a safe level of physical work for each patient. The reliability coefficient between the therapists was .83. Correlations between predicted and actual work ranged from .41 to .55. Only 14 -18% were working above predicted levels. The results indicated high interrater reliability and provided evidence supporting convergent validity.

Research:

Detecting Sincerity of Effort: A Summary of Methods and Approaches

Despite the widespread use of methods that allegedly determine the sincerity of patient effort in clinical assessment, little has been done to summarize the literature that addresses the reliability and validity of these methods. This review aims to examine the literature on the reliability and validity of Waddle’s nonorganic signs, descriptions of pain behavior, symptom magnification, coefficients of variation, correlations between musculoskeletal evaluation and function, grip measurements, and the relationship between heart rate and pain. Our review found that none of the authors of these methods recommend that they be used to detect sincerity of effort. Clinicians are encouraged to review the literature and refrain from using most of these methods until further research is conducted. They are also recommended to use them in the context of many other aspects of consistency of effort and self-limiting behavior in functional testing.

Research:

A Critical Review of Functional Capacity Evaluations

The role of functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) appears to be increasing as employers and insurers rely more heavily on them for decision-making. All FCE suppliers must validate and refine their systems to meet credibility requirements and the American Physical Therapy Association's measurement and documentation standards. This article provides information that can be used to make informed decisions in the selection of an FCE and functional assessment practices. Features of well-designed FCEs are discussed. Ten well known FCE systems are analyzed according to these features and other common characteristics. Current issues such as the qualifications of the evaluators, reliability and validity, length of assessments, projection of endurance to 8-hour workdays, standards of practice, safety protocols, and behavioral assessment and management strategies are discussed. The Physical Work Performance Evaluation (PWPE) was found to be the only FCE with both reliability and validity research published in the peer-reviewed literature.

Research:

Program designed to evaluate and develop the functional and work capacities of clients suffering from fibromyalgia.

This 10-week pilot study involved 3 patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. These patients were evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Physical Work Performance Evaluation (PWPE) before and after a multidisciplinary intervention program. The program used physical training and cognitive behavioral therapy and was designed to improve their functional status and vocational capabilities. The patients were followed up at 3 and 6 months after discharge. Both pain and tender points decreased while function improved. All patients returned to their previous work and remained employed 6 months after discharge. The program was shown to improve work capacities and the Physical Work Performance Evaluation was shown to effectively measure function before and after a 10-week program.

Research:

Test-Retest Reliability of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation.

This research examined the test-retest reliability of 24 patients with stable physical injuries who were participating in vocational rehabilitation. Nine of the 21 main tasks of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation (PWPE) were evaluated, including floor-to-waist lift, bilateral carry, push, pull, sit, stand, kneel, stair climb, repetitive squat, and walk. Percent agreement ranged from 68% to 88%, with the best results for kneeling, lifting, carrying, and pushing tasks. Self-limiting behaviors, pain scores, and movement deviations were the main contributors to affect scoring between the first and second tests.

Research:

Feasibility of Internet-Based Training and Reliability of Internet-Trained Job Analysts

This report summarizes the findings of two complementary studies conducted in May-June 2002 on the feasibility of training job analysts using an internet-based training approach and subsequently examined the reliability of these analysts when utilizing the newly learned job analysis techniques. Training participants were required to take a written test at the end of the training. The lowest test score was 72, and the overall mean score was 92, indicating a high level of mastery of the course content. For the reliability study, the average reliability coefficients ranged from .94 to .99, suggesting a very high level of inter-rater reliability. This high level of reliability lends significant credibility to the observation-based job demand analysis process and indicates that the process is objective and has minimal evaluator bias. Such a finding has significant implications for the field of observation-based job analysis and helps promote the use of this tool in rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Research:

Cost-effectiveness of a prework screening program for the University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Plant

A post-offer screening program was jointly developed by the Occupational and Physical Therapy Departments (University of Illinois at Chicago) using tasks from the Physical Work Performance Evaluation. A total of 712 screens were completed from 3-01-98 through 2-28-01. A quasi-experimental design was utilized to analyze changes in Workers’ Compensation costs between the three-year period before and after the program's inception. Additionally, injury rates and mean cost per injury were compared between workers who had passed screening and those who had not been screened. Finally, cost per screen and reduction in Workers’ Compensation costs were compared to determine the dollar spent/ dollar saved ratio. Dramatic declines in the number of injuries, total costs, and mean cost per case occurred in the three-year period following the program’s inception. The mean cost per case also dramatically declined, comparing injured workers who had passed screening versus those who had never been screened. Cost savings were over $18 per dollar spent on the program. While a number of mitigating variables may have accounted for some of the profound effects noted, the decrease in average cost per case (indicating a possible reduction in the severity of injury) was consistent with existing literature.

Research:

Functional capacity evaluations as a post-offer employment: A case study

Functional capacity evaluations in the post-offer phase of employment have the capacity to minimize work-related injuries and promote wellness at the worksite. This paper includes a discussion of the value of post-offer evaluations and possible assessment options. A case study was initiated to investigate the feasibility of administering post-offer evaluations. The Physical Work Performance Evaluation (PWPE) was administered to a new employee, VA, who was employed for the task of kneading dough, at a major food company. When compared to detailed work demands, there was no match between the job demands and the client’s capability in two sub-tests: lift from waist to eye level and trunk rotation. Based upon findings, recommendations for an initial graded work schedule, basic strengthening exercises, and modifications of the job site and task were made to the employer. The project was initiated to raise employee and employer awareness of workers’ health issues in the post-offer phase as it expresses itself in post-offer evaluation that aims to prevent musculoskeletal problems. This article aims to expand occupational therapists’ awareness of the potential benefits of such a process.

Research:

Predictive Validity of a Functional Capacity Evaluation: The Physical Work Performance Evaluation

The predictive validity of a Functional Capacity Evaluation, the Physical Work Performance Evaluation, was examined in 30 patients with work-related musculoskeletal injuries who were participating in an industrial rehab program. Return-to-work recommendations were made by comparing test results to the physical requirements of the job. Kappa Coefficients were used to compare recommendations to actual work at discharge, 3 months, and 6 months. Substantial agreement was found between the test recommendations and actual work at all three follow-up points. The study supports the predictive validity of the PWPE for making return-to-work recommendations at the conclusion of an industrial rehabilitation program.

Research:

Responsiveness of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation, a Functional Capacity Evaluation, in Patients with Low Back Pain

This study investigated the internal and external responsiveness of a Functional Capacity Evaluation, the Physical Work Performance Evaluation PWPE. The internal responsiveness was tested by comparing the pre-/post-test PWPE scores of a group participating in a work rehabilitation program (n = 27) to that of a comparison group of healthy subjects (n = 30). The external responsiveness was tested with the rehabilitation group, and the change in their PWPE scores was compared to concurrent and empirical criteria. The comparison of the change in pre-/post-test PWPE scores showed that the change for the rehabilitation group was significantly different from that for the comparison group for one section of the PWPE – the Dynamic Strength Section. Changes in six criteria were seen after the completion of the program, but there was no significant correlation between these changes and the change in the overall PWPE score (categorized as Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, and Very Heavy). These results suggest that the best section for showing change after rehab is the Dynamic Strength Section. However, a limitation of this study was that the work rehabilitation program was targeted at improving the patients’ physical abilities required for their specific jobs, while a generic PWPE was used to measure improvement. Perhaps a job-specific PWPE would have been a better measure for this study.

Research:

Updating the Evidence on Functional Capacity Evaluation Methods: A Systematic Review

Discussion related to the PWPE: Two studies on the reliability of the ErgoScience physical work performance evaluation (PWPE) were found, 1 on the test-retest reliability/reproducibility [24] and 1 on the inter-rater reliability. One study on the predictive validity of the PWPE was found and 1 on the internal and external responsiveness of the assessment. Varying test-retest reliability and reproducibility were found for the sections of the PWPE, with moderate to high agreement between outcomes and moderate agreement between outcomes of the overall PWPE. In other words, the PWPE provides relatively stable outcomes with limited variation. Agreement between raters was moderate to high for the PWPE sections and high for the overall PWPE score. Two PWPE sections (the dynamic strength and position tolerance sections) observed change within subjects, not the mobility sections or the overall PWPE (internal responsiveness). A study by Lechner et al. shows that performance in the PWPE has a high predictive value in return to work.

Research:

Outcomes of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program

This study aimed to evaluate outcomes (RTW status and lifting capacity/strength changes) of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program and examine whether time off work prior to the program and type of injury were related to RTW status and strength changes. A retrospective database analysis was conducted with a sample of 495 participants (Mage = 44.44 years, SD = 10.13) of which 375 (76%) were male. Participants were workers with injuries who participated in an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program from 2006 to 2010. The lifting tasks of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation were used to measure lifting ability. A significantly higher number of participants were working at the end of the program than at the beginning (83.9% vs. 31.6%, p < 0.0001). Mean lifting strength was higher at the time of discharge compared to at admission (p < 0.0001). The participants who did not RTW had significantly more days off work prior to the program (U = 11757, z = –3.152, p = 0.002). The type of injury was not related to strength at the time of discharge. Findings suggest the interdisciplinary program is associated with positive outcomes and early intervention may be an important factor when treating patients with work-related injuries.

Webinar:

RTW Testing

Webinar:

ErgoCloud PWPE

Blog & Updates

Stay up to date with ErgoScience

The Industrial Athlete

December 11, 2023

byDeborah Lechner

In the field of Physical Therapy (PT), various areas of specialization exist. .....

Work Conditioning

November 15, 2023

byDeborah Lechner

So, you have a patient with a work-related injury. .....

Burning Questions:

October 16, 2023

byDeborah Lechner

The PWPE relies on research-based algorithms to make accurate predictions..........

Clinic Training & Software

Clinician Resources

Expand Your Knowledge

Access valuable resources to improve your knowledge and skills for treating, managing and evaluating patients with workplace musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

eBook:

Marketing Your Industrial Rehab Services

In the industrial rehabilitation practice niche, there are a variety of services that clinics can provide. In contrast to other practice niches, the opportunities for injury and disability prevention may exceed the opportunities for treatment and return to work services.

Research:

Reliability and Validity of a Newly Developed Test of Physical Work Performance.

Research:

Detecting Sincerity of Effort: A Summary of Methods and Approaches

Research:

A Critical Review of Functional Capacity Evaluations

Research:

Program designed to evaluate and develop the functional and work capacities of clients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Research:

Test-Retest Reliability of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation.

Research:

Feasibility of Internet-Based Training and Reliability of Internet-Trained Job Analysts

Research:

Cost-effectiveness of a prework screening program for the University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Plant

Research:

Functional capacity evaluations as a post-offer employment: A case study

Research:

Predictive Validity of a Functional Capacity Evaluation: The Physical Work Performance Evaluation

Research:

Responsiveness of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation, a Functional Capacity Evaluation, in Patients with Low Back Pain

Research:

Updating the Evidence on Functional Capacity Evaluation Methods: A Systematic Review

Research:

Outcomes of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program

Webinar:

RTW Testing

Webinar:

ErgoCloud PWPE

Blog & Updates

Stay up to date with ErgoScience

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