Article

The WorkHab Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is widely used in Australian
workplace injury management and occupational rehabilitation arenas; however,
there is a lack of published literature regarding its reliability and validity.
PURPOSE: This study investigated the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the manual handling component of this FCE. METHOD: A DVD was produced containing
footage of the manual handling components of the WorkHab conducted with four
injured workers. Therapist raters (n = 17) who were trained and accredited in use
of the WorkHab FCE scored these components and 14 raters re-evaluated them after
approximately 2 weeks. Ratings were compared using intraclass correlation
coefficients (ICCs), paired sample t-tests (intra-rater), chi-squared
(inter-rater) and percentage agreement. RESULTS: Intra-rater agreement was high
with ICCs for the manual handling components and manual handling score showing
excellent reliability (0.94-0.98) and good reliability for identification of the
safe maximal lift (ICC: 0.81). Overall inter-rater agreement ranged from good to
excellent for the manual handling components and safe maximal lift determination
(ICC > 0.9). Agreement for safe maximal lift identification was good.
CONCLUSIONS: Ratings demonstrated substantial levels of intra-rater and
inter-rater reliability for the lifting components of the WorkHab FCEs.

Langue : ANGLAIS