The Effect of Pain Scale for functional capacity evaluations

Abstract

Introduction: The Effect of Pain Scale is a new tool to evaluate the effect of pain on function during functional capacity evaluations. The aim was to test the clinicometric properties of the scale with clinicians familiar with the tool and workers with musculoskeletal injuries. Method: The study was conducted in two stages. Stage 1 assessed clinical utility and content validity of the scale using a questionnaire for clinicians using the tool during functional capacity evaluations. In stage 2, data were collected from clients and clinicians during functional capacity evaluations and were used to assess criterion validity, inter-rater reliability, and responsiveness. Results: Twelve clinicians responded to the survey on clinical utility and content validity, and data were recorded from 30 clients during their functional capacity evaluations. The tool demonstrated good clinical utility, content validity, inter-rater reliability, and criterion validity, and was responsive to the effects of pain on function as rated by both clients and clinicians. Conclusion: Findings show its credibility as a tool with sound clinicometrics and establish its value for functional capacity evaluations with clients who have musculoskeletal injuries. Further testing in other clinical settings and client populations is needed to further establish the clinical value of this tool.