{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,4]],"date-time":"2026-05-04T10:42:09Z","timestamp":1777891329578,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["WOR"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,7]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>BACKGROUND: Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a crucial component within return-to-work decision making. However, clinician-based physical FCE interpretation may introduce variability and biases. The rise of technological applications such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, could ensure consistent and precise results. OBJECTIVE: This review investigates the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in physical FCEs specific for return-to-work assessments. METHODS: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted across five databases, extracting study specifics, populations, and technological tools employed, through dual independent reviews. RESULTS: Nine studies were identified that used ICT in FCEs. These technologies included electromyography, heart rate monitors, cameras, motion detectors, and specific software. Notably, although some devices are commercially available, these technologies were at a technology readiness level of 5\u20136 within the field of FCE. A prevailing trend was the combined use of diverse technologies rather than a single, unified solution. Moreover, the primary emphasis was on the application of technology within study protocols, rather than a direct evaluation of the technology usability and feasibility. CONCLUSION: The literature underscores limited ICT integration in FCEs. The current landscape of FCEs, marked by a high dependence on clinician observations, presents challenges regarding consistency and cost-effectiveness. There is an evident need for a standardized technological approach that introduces objective metrics to streamline the FCE process and potentially enhance its outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3233\/wor-230560","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,11]],"date-time":"2024-06-11T13:22:23Z","timestamp":1718112143000},"page":"1-14","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Technological interventions in functional capacity evaluations: An insight into current applications"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"given":"Nake","family":"Bhupal","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University of Alberta. 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB. Canada T6 G 2G4"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Bures","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University of Alberta. 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB. Canada T6 G 2G4"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Emika","family":"Peterson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University of Alberta. 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB. Canada T6 G 2G4"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Spencer","family":"Nicol","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University of Alberta. 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB. Canada T6 G 2G4"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mathieu","family":"Figeys","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University of Alberta. 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB. Canada T6 G 2G4"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Antonio Miguel","family":"Cruz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University of Alberta. 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB. Canada T6 G 2G4"},{"name":"Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation & Technology (GRRIT). Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Canada"},{"name":"School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"179","reference":[{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-012-9407-8","article-title":"Quantification of the safe maximal lift in functional capacity evaluations: comparison of muscle recruitment using SEMG and therapist observation","volume":"23","author":"James","year":"2013","journal-title":"J Occup Rehabil"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"487","DOI":"10.3233\/WOR-2012-1386","article-title":"The effect of load on biomechanics during an overhead lift in the WorkHab Functional Capacity Evaluation","volume":"43","author":"Allen","year":"2012","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"337","DOI":"10.3233\/WOR-152154","article-title":"An investigation of the inter-rater reliability of the Valpar Joule functional capacity evaluation in healthy adults","volume":"53","author":"Mitchell","year":"2015","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1080\/02703181.2019.1622620","article-title":"The functional cognitive evaluation and model to assess older adults\u2019 ability to function in their homes in the community","volume":"37","author":"Zilbershlag","year":"2019","journal-title":"Phys Occup Ther Geriatr"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref5","first-page":"121","article-title":"Functional Capacity Evaluation & Disability","volume":"27","author":"Chen","year":"2007","journal-title":"Iowa Orthop J"},{"issue":"2","key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref6","first-page":"125","article-title":"Validity of work-related assessments","volume":"13","author":"Innes","year":"1999","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"527","DOI":"10.1007\/s00420-004-0549-7","article-title":"Reliability and validity of Functional Capacity Evaluation methods: A systematic review with reference to Blankenship system, Ergos work simulator, Ergo-Kit and Isernhagen work system","volume":"77","author":"Gouttebarge","year":"2004","journal-title":"Int Arch Occup Environ Health"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"364","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/82.4.364","article-title":"Reliability of safe maximum lifting determinations of a functional capacity evaluation","volume":"82","author":"Gross","year":"2002","journal-title":"Phys Ther"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1023\/B:JOOR.0000022759.30446.4f","article-title":"Measurement properties of performance-based assessment of functional capacity","volume":"14","author":"Gross","year":"2004","journal-title":"J Occup Rehabil"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"387","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-010-9233-9","article-title":"A short-form functional capacity evaluation predicts time to recovery but not sustained return-to-work","volume":"20","author":"Branton","year":"2010","journal-title":"J Occup Rehabil"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int J Soc Res Methodol"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1000097","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.1000097","article-title":"Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement","volume":"6","author":"Moher","year":"1000","journal-title":"PLoS Med"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.1016\/0094-5765(89)90054-4","article-title":"The NASA technology push towards future space mission systems","volume":"20","author":"Sadin","year":"1989","journal-title":"Acta Astronaut"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref14","first-page":"18","article-title":"Using surface electromyography (SEMG) to classify low back pain based on lifting capacity evaluation with principal component analysis neural network method","volume":"2014","author":"Hung","year":"2014","journal-title":"Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref15","first-page":"169","article-title":"Loads on the lumbar spine during a work capacity assessment test","volume":"23","author":"Cole","year":"2004","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"87","DOI":"10.3233\/WOR-131689","article-title":"Trunk neuromuscular pattern alterations during a controlled functional task in a low back injured group deemed ready to resume regular activities","volume":"47","author":"Hubley-Kozey","year":"2014","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.3233\/WOR-203164","article-title":"Do wearable fitness devices correlate with performance-based tests of work-related functional capacity?","volume":"66","author":"Karpman","year":"2020","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"585","DOI":"10.3233\/WOR-131698","article-title":"The effect of load in a floor-to-bench lift during the WorkHab functional capacity evaluation","volume":"49","author":"Melino","year":"2014","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.3233\/WOR-172677","article-title":"The effect of load on biomechanics of the back and upper limb in a bench to shoulder lift during the WorkHab Functional Capacity Evaluation","volume":"59","author":"West","year":"2018","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"650542","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2021.650542","article-title":"Artificial neural network analyzing wearable device gait data for identifying patients with stroke unable to return to work","volume":"12","author":"Iosa","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"issue":"12","key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e10338","DOI":"10.2196\/10338","article-title":"Accuracy of wrist-worn activity monitors during common daily physical activities and types of structured exercise: Evaluation study","volume":"6","author":"Kondama Reddy","year":"2018","journal-title":"JMIR mHealth uHealth"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1405","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/pzz097","article-title":"Current low-cost video-based motion analysis options for clinical rehabilitation: A systematic seview","volume":"99","author":"Parks","year":"2019","journal-title":"Phys Ther"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref23","first-page":"1","article-title":"Marker-based movement analysis of human body parts in therapeutic procedure","volume":"20","author":"Khan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sensors (Basel)"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"642257","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2021.642257","article-title":"Editorial: Surface electromyography: Barriers limiting widespread use of sEMG in clinical assessment and neurorehabilitation","volume":"12","author":"Merletti","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/s20195687","article-title":"Motion capture technology in industrial applications: A systematic review","volume":"20","author":"Menolotto","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sensors (Basel)"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s40798-018-0139-y","article-title":"A review of the evolution of vision-based motion analysis and the integration of advanced computer vision methods towards developing a markerless system","volume":"4","author":"Colyer","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sports Med Open"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2008.08.006","article-title":"Technology and instrumentation for detection and conditioning of the surface electromyographic signal: State of the art","volume":"24","author":"Merletti","year":"2009","journal-title":"Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon)"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"576729","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2020.576729","article-title":"Analysis and biophysics of surface EMG for physiotherapists and kinesiologists: Toward a common language with rehabilitation engineers","volume":"11","author":"McManus","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12431","DOI":"10.3390\/s130912431","article-title":"Surface electromyography signal processing and classification techniques","volume":"13","author":"Chowdhury","year":"2013","journal-title":"Sensors (Basel)"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref30","unstructured":"Criswell E Cram\u2019s introduction to surface electromyography. 2nd ed. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Publishers; 20110."},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref31","unstructured":"American College of Sports Medicine ACSM\u2019s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer; 2022."},{"issue":"5","key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e16716","DOI":"10.2196\/16716","article-title":"Wrist-worn wearables for monitoring heart rate and energy expenditure while sitting or performing light-to-vigorous physical activity: Validation study","volume":"8","author":"D\u00fcking","year":"2020","journal-title":"JMIR mHealth uHealthe"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-230560_ref33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"171","DOI":"10.1049\/htl.2016.0020","article-title":"ECG artefact identification and removal in mHealth systems for continuous patient monitoring","volume":"3","author":"Imtiaz","year":"2016","journal-title":"Healthc Technol Lett"}],"container-title":["Work"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/content.iospress.com\/download?id=10.3233\/WOR-230560","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]],"date-time":"2026-05-01T06:00:40Z","timestamp":1777615240000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full\/10.3233\/WOR-230560"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,7]]},"references-count":33,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3233\/wor-230560","relation":{},"ISSN":["1051-9815","1875-9270"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1051-9815","type":"print"},{"value":"1875-9270","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,7]]}}}