Reliability of upper extremity tests measured by the Ergos work simulator: a pilot study

The objective of this paper was to assess the reliability of functional capacity evaluation (FCE) tests of the upper extremity in Ergos from three perspectives: human performance (in terms of a learning effect); order of the physical intensity (force) of the subtests (intensity effect); and performance in time (time of day effect). An experimental within-subjects design was performed. Twelve healthy males/females were tested in the morning or in the afternoon. The tests focused on sensibility, coordination, and strength of the upper extremity. A counterbalanced design was used for three orders of the three types of tests increasing in intensity. Each participant was tested three times over the course of 4 weeks. A learning effect was found in sensibility and coordination subtests. No order effect was observed in terms of the intensity of the subtests. A time effect was found in coordination tasks: keyboarding performance was better in the morning, and handling better in the afternoon. It was concluded that repeated upper extremity FCE testing in the present pilot study was found to be reliable over a 4-week period in healthy subjects