Construct validity of functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in construction workers on sick leave as a result of musculoskeletal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
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).


METHODS
Cross sectional within-subject design.


METHODS
Occupational health service for the construction industry.


METHODS
Male construction workers (N=72) on 6-week sick leave as a result of MSDs.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
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.
Gouttebarge
Vincent
V
Department of Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.gouttebarge@amc.nl
Wind
Haije
H
Kuijer
P Paul
PP
Sluiter
Judith K
JK
Frings-Dresen
Monique H
MH
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult