Functional disability (Health factor for workers with an MSD)

Interpretation of the “Functional disability” factor

Functional disability negatively influences RTW or sickness absence duration.

Definition of the “Functional disability” factor

Short definition: In the context of health experience, functional disability relates to activities that involve the execution of simple tasks or actions by an individual. As such, activity limitations are defined as difficulties an individual may have in executing activities (World Health Organization. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF, 2001). These (effective) limitations are to be distinguished from (preventive) restrictions.

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Functional disability, or the difficulty of performing multiple activities negatively influences RTW in workers with an MSD (Asher et al., 2017; Opsahl, Eriksen et Tveito, 2016; Post, Krol et Groothoff, 2006; Storheim, Brox, Holm et Bo, 2005). Activities can be operationalized as simple tasks or actions (Jette, 2006).  Activities are in the mobility (e.g.: walk, get up from the floor, sit-stand, climb stairs), daily activities (e.g.: put on and take off coat, get into and out of a car, shelve, lift, step on and off a bus), domestic life (e.g.: remove wrapping with hands, make a bed) and self-care (e.g.: take a shower) domains (Jette, Haley et Kooyoomjian, 2003). Activities therefore differs from social functioning (or participation), which is defined as the ability to perform more complex social roles (e.g., leisure/social/work life situations) within a sociocultural and physical environment (Jette, 2006).

Asher, A. L., Devin, C. J., Archer, K. R., Chotai, S., Parker, S., Bydon, M., . . . McGirt, M. J. (2017). An analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database, Part 2. Predictive model for return to work after elective surgery for lumbar degenerative disease. Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine 1-12. doi: 10.3171/2016.8.SPINE16527

Jette, A. M. (2006). Toward a common language for function, disability, and health. Phys Ther, 86(5), 726-734.

Jette, A. M., Haley, S. M. et Kooyoomjian, J. T. (2003). Are the ICF Activity and Participation dimensions distinct? J Rehabil Med, 35(3), 145-149. doi: 10.1080/16501970310010501

Opsahl, J., Eriksen, H. R. et Tveito, T. H. (2016). Do expectancies of return to work and Job satisfaction predict actual return to work in workers with long lasting LBP? BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 17. doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1314-2

Post, M., Krol, B. et Groothoff, J. W. (2006). Self-rated health as a predictor of return to work among employees on long-term sickness absence. Disabil Rehabil, 28(5), 289-297. doi: 10.1080/09638280500160303

Storheim, K., Brox, J. I., Holm, I. et Bo, K. (2005). Predictors of return to work in patients sick listed for sub-acute low back pain: a 12-month follow-up study. J Rehabil Med, 37(6), 365-371. doi: 10.1080/16501970510040344

World Health Organization. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF. (2001). Geneva, Switzerland : World Health Organization.

Tools for measuring the “Functional disability” factor