Journal of occupational rehabilitation
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The problem of inconsistent terminology in functional capacity evaluation (FCE) has been widely addressed in the international literature. Many different terms seem to be used interchangeably while other terms appear to be interpreted differently. This may seriously hinder FCE research and clinical use. To gain consensus in operational definitions in FCE and conceptual framework to classify terminology used in FCE. ⋯ Consensus concerning conceptual framework of FCE was met in 9 out of 20 statements. Consensus on definitions was met in 10 out of 19 definitions. Experts agreed to use the ICF as a conceptual framework in which terminology of FCE should be classified and agreed to use pre-defined terms of the ICF. No consensus was reached about the definition of FCE, for which two potential eligible definitions remained. Consensus was reached in many terms used in FCE. For future research, it was recommended that researchers use these terms, use the ICF as a conceptual framework and clearly state which definition for FCE is used because no definition of FCE was consented.
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Measurement of exercise capacity is essential in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, the conventional Astrand bicycle test is not feasible in patients with a very poor aerobic capacity. Therefore the Astrand bicycles test for non-specific CLBP patients based on lean body mass (LBM) was developed as an alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the LBM-based Astrand test. ⋯ The present study shows that the LBM-based Astrand test is a reliable, valid, and feasible method for patients with non-specific CLBP. However, a substantial amount of variation should be taken into account in patients when interpreting the test results clinically.
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The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire designed to assess perceive injustice associated with injury. ⋯ The findings of these two studies support the construct validity of the IEQ and suggest that this measure might be a useful complement to psychosocial assessment of individuals with persistent pain conditions. Discussion addresses the processes through which perceived injustice might impact on disability and rehabilitation outcomes.
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Vocational outcomes following group CBT programmes for patients with chronic pain are scarcely reported within the literature, despite their importance as measures of function. This study reports vocational, physical and psychological outcomes following a group CBT programme for patients suffering chronic pain. The study aimed to examine the vocational situation of chronic pain patients who completed a group CBT programme, using a scale known as the vocational continuum. The scale was developed to measure changes in RTW intention and work status, in an effort to reconceptualise vocational outcomes for this population with respect to the RTW process. ⋯ The study demonstrates improvements across physical and psychological measures post-CBT, indicating that participants benefited from reduced levels of pain-related distress and disability. Although retrospective, the study also suggests improvements were made across vocational outcomes. By doing so, the study adds to scant literature reporting on vocational outcomes of group CBT programmes for patients with chronic pain and offers a new scale for measuring and interpreting vocational outcomes for this population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Changes in cognitive-behavioral factors and muscle activation patterns after interventions for work-related neck-shoulder complaints: relations with discomfort and disability.
Knowledge regarding the working mechanism of an intervention is essential for obtaining a better understanding of the intervention and contributes to optimize its outcome. This study aimed at investigating whether changes in cognitive-behavioral factors and muscle activation patterns after myofeedback training and ergonomic counseling were associated with outcome, in subjects with work-related musculoskeletal neck-shoulder complaints. ⋯ Intervention effects were generally non-specific and findings suggested that cognitive-behavioral factors underlie the outcome of these interventions rather than changes in muscle activation patterns. Emphasizing these factors during therapy may increase the beneficial outcome of occupational interventions.