Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) are clinical instruments that use a battery of standardised performance tests to evaluate an individual’s ability to perform work-related activities. Several studies have investigated the potential biopsychosocial factors associated with FCE results to gain a better understanding of FCE results. Such studies have provided evidence for significant associations between FCE performance with primarily biological and psychological factors, while social factors have only been scarcely described. Despite its relevance in patients undergoing FCE, it is currently unclear which social factors are significantly associated with FCE performance. We conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of the association between social factors and performance of FCE tests in adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
