Examining Work-Related Functioning in a Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic: Validity and Reliability of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ)

Purpose Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are often associated with long-term sick leave, productivity loss, and reduced work functioning. However, measures that assess work-related functioning are sparse. Objective To assess the psychometric properties of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ)-German version in patients with MSDs in an outpatient physical therapy practice. Methods Psychometric study including patients with MSDs with restricted work participation. Data was collected in a single physical therapy outpatient clinic. For construct validity, we developed a priori hypotheses on the correlation between the functioning part of WORQ (40 items) and other questionnaires with similar concepts. For test–retest reliability, WORQ was administered twice, 7 days apart. We examined internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC). Feasibility of WORQ was examined using feedback from patients and physical therapists. Results There were 51 study participants. Test–retest of WORQ sum score was 0.80 (p < 0.01) (Spearman’s rho). Internal consistency was 0.94 and MDC established at 9.2%. WORQ correlated with general health (r = − 0.49), with HADS (r = 0.55), and with quality of life (WHOQOL) (r = − 0.47). WORQ had the highest correlation with WHODAS 2.0 (r = 0.81). Patients rated WORQ as easy to answer and meaningful to their experience. Conclusions When evaluating self-reported work-related functioning, the WORQ-German version was demonstrated to be a valid, reliable, and easy to administer questionnaire for our sample of patients with MSDs in an outpatient PT clinic.