Article

OBJECTIVES: To assess the construct (discriminative and convergent) validity of 5
Ergo-Kit (EK) functional capacity evaluation (FCE) lifting tests in construction
workers on sick leave as a result of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). DESIGN:
Cross sectional within-subject design. SETTING: Occupational health service for
the construction industry. PARTICIPANTS: Male construction workers (N=72) on
6-week sick leave as a result of MSDs. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: After being assessed on 5 EK FCE lifting tests, participants
were asked to complete the Von Korff questionnaire on pain intensity and
disability as a result of MSDs and the instrument for disability risk assessing
the risk for work disability. Discriminative validity was evaluated by comparing
the results of the EK FCE lifting test scores between the 2 groups of
participants based on the instrument for disability risk scores (high risk for
work disability compared with low risk for work disability). Convergent validity
was evaluated by assessing the associations between the results of the EK FCE
lifting tests and Von Korff questionnaire self-reported pain intensity and
disability as a result of MSDs. RESULTS: The hypothesized differences between
both instrument for disability risk groups on the 5 EK FCE lifting tests were
found in the expected direction but were not statistically significant (1 test
exhibited a trend). Pearson correlation coefficients showed a poor convergent
validity between the scores of the Von Korff questionnaire and the EK FCE lifting
tests (-.29< or =r< or =.05). CONCLUSIONS: Poor construct validity of the 5 EK
lifting tests was found: discriminative validity was not statistically
established, and convergent validity with self-reported pain intensity and
disability was poor.

Langue : ANGLAIS