Table 3

Psychometric properties of the functional capacity evaluation

FCE batteryType of propertiesStatistical testValueInterpretation
Neck FCETest-retestICC0.39–0.96Poor-excellent
 Measurement ErrorRatio of LoA32.0%–56.5% 
 Convergent ValidityPearson or Spearman correlationNDI total: 0.39–0.62
NDI items: 0.03–0.63		Weak to moderate very weak to strong
WAD FCETest-retest ReliabilityICC0.66–0.96moderate-excellent
 Convergent ValidityPearson CorrelationPain* 0.31–0.39
SFS: 0.42–0.61
NDI: 0.34–0.45
HADS-A: 0.27–0.36
HADS-D: 0.30–0.41		Weak
Moderate-strong
Weak-moderate weak
Weak-moderate
 Discriminative Validity (German vs Non-German)Linear Regression Analysisp<0.001Significant for All Tasks
 Discriminative Validity (sex)t-testp<0.001Significant for Two Tasks
Workwell FCEConvergent ValidityPearson or Spearman CorrelationWork Capacity: 0.1–0.3Very Weak – weak
 Predictive ValidityPearson or Spearman Correlation
Linear Mixed Model Regression of All Predictors		0.06–0.39
β=−0.04, 95% CI:
−0.15–0.06
p=0.428 (task 6)		Very weak - Weak
Not Significant

  • *Pain measured via Numeric Rating Scale.

  • FCE, Functional Capacity Evaluation; HADS-A, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety; HADS-D, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Depression; ICC, Intraclass correlation coefficient; LoA, Limits of Agreement; Mod, Moderate; NDI, Neck Disability Index; Neg, Negligible; SFS, Spinal Function Sort; Sig, Significant.