Functional assessment taxonomy relevant to low-back impairments.

A taxonomy of functional assessment constructs was developed to help the Social Security Administration refine the measurements of work disability. This report addresses content validity of the new taxonomy by examining the relevance of its constructs to a specific disability, and by examining the relationship between these constructs and constructs in other taxonomies. Seven experts linked the new taxonomy to consequences of low-back impairments. The selected constructs were compared to those reported independently by patients (Harper AC, Harper DA, Lambert L, Andrews HB, Lo SK, Ross FM, Straker LM. Pain 1992; 50(2): 189-195). The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps served to bridge the two exercises. The findings reveal that it is feasible to use the taxonomy to define the impact of a specific disability and consequently link it to a set of standard measurements. Low-back impairments may be best assessed through measures of physical functional limitations, vocational impact, and interpersonal and emotional behavior. The study did not yield cognitive and intellectual measures that were relevant to this impairment.