A New Functional Outcome Assessment Tool for Military Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: A Pilot Validation Study

ObjectiveTo examine the construct and concurrent validity of a new occupational military outcome measure (the Functional Activity Assessment [FAA]).DesignA validation study.SettingBritish Defence rehabilitation facilities.ParticipantsA total of 141 service personnel who attended a musculoskeletal injury assessment clinic.MethodologyThe association among the Short Form 36 (SF-36), Physical Workload Questionnaire, and the FAA was examined. Agreement and correlation with an actual medical category also was examined.Main Outcome MeasuresFAA, SF-36 and Physical Workload Questionnaire scores.ResultsThe FAA was significantly correlated with heavy physical workload and all SF-36 subscale and component scores, in line with predictions. The regression model retained 3 variables that accounted for 49% of the variation in FAA, most of which was accounted for by the role-physical subscale score of the SF-36. The FAA was well correlated with actual medical category.ConclusionsThe FAA is a valid measure of physical health in relation to physical workload.