Affiliations: Millikin University, Decatur, IL, USA | X-RTS Software Products, Inc., Hopedale, IL, USA | WorkSTEPS, Inc., Austin, TX, USA | Joseph Kleinkort, PC, Trophy Club, TX, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Darrell Schapmire, MS, X-RTS
Software Products, Inc., P.O. Box 171, Hopedale, IL 61747, USA. Tel.: +1 309
449 5483; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: To determine if passing or failing statistically-based
validity criteria during a distraction-based hand strength assessment is
related to test behavior during a lifting assessment. Participants: 200 consecutive clients presenting for an FCE. Methods: The two testing protocols, one involving a hand strength assessment, the other involving an
assessment of lifting capacities, were administered to assess the variability
between repeated measures. Results: Clients failing two or more
statistically-based hand strength validity criteria had significantly more
variability between repeated measures in the lifting assessment, p= 0.001 and
0.014 for right and left unilateral lifts, respectively, and p< 0.0005 for
three different bilateral lifts. Conclusions: A pattern of performance
related to the degree of variability in repeated measures protocols for these
two distraction-based protocols is revealed. Passing or failing the hand
strength assessment are each equally predictive of test outcome during the
distraction-based lifting assessment. The failure of the validity criteria in
these two distraction-based tests cannot be attributed to a history of surgery
but, rather, is the result of abnormal test behavior.
Keywords: Pattern of performance, lifting assessment, validity of effort, functional capacity evaluation (FCE), maximum effort
