Article

Functional capacity evaluation is commonly used to assess the
abilities of patients to perform some tasks. Ergo-Kit((R)) is a validated tool
assessing both functional capacities of patients and workplace demands. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the Ergo-Kit((R)) data
for occupational physicians during the return-to-work process. METHODS: A
retrospective and monocenter study was conducted on all patients included in a
rehabilitation program and assessed with the Ergo-Kit((R)) tool between 2005 and
2014. Workplace demands and patients' functional capacities were evaluated and
confronted. Self-beliefs and perceived disability were also assessed and compared
to the functional capacity evaluation. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine
working-age patients (85 men, 64 women; 39+/-12 years) suffering from
musculoskeletal disorders or other diseases were included. Main causes of
mismatch between workplace demands and functional capacities were manual handling
of loads, postures with arms away from the body and repetitive motions at work;
sitting posture was correlated with a lesser physical workload; and Oswestry
score was correlated with functional capacities evaluated by the Ergo-Kit((R)).
CONCLUSION: Ergo-Kit((R)) is a relevant tool to assess the multidimensional
aspects of workplace demands and functional capacities. It could be very helpful
for occupational physicians to manage return-to-work.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS