What is a functional capacity evaluation?
A functional capacity evaluation is a comprehensive objective test of an individual’s ability to perform work-related tasks. The evaluation measures the maximum safe, functional abilities across a variety of tasks. Your physical therapist observes body movement and control, metabolic changes, pace, psychomotor and affective behavior. They are often used to develop a treatment program, measure physical abilities before and after rehabilitation and to evaluate whether it is safe for an injured worker to return to work.