Q: What make ERGOS® and Sapphire different from other FCE testing methods?

A:First, the ERGOS Work Simulator and Sapphire Work Assessment System are the only computer-interactive criterion based work capacity assessment systems that use multi-language instructions and evaluee informed consent methodology. This evidence-based testing method was designed to make certain the each and every evaluee receives the same instruction and test opportunity no matter how often the assessment is administered. All other assessment systems use instruction sets administered verbally by the evaluator. The limitation of this approach to testing is that it will eventually result in test error. Test error can and is influenced whether or not it is recognized by the evaluator. After administering the same test many times, it is possible and probable that the evaluator will have subtle changes creep into the verbal instructions given to the evaluee. This results in a different test from being administered and results in test error. Both the ERGOS and Sapphire assessment products prevent this from occurring by administering each and every test activity the same every time via recorded instructions which are also provided visually on the instruction screen. This allows both visual and auditory interface with the evaluee to allow for their best method of learning and eliminates potential for test error so common with other FCE and work capacity assessment methods. Likewise, the ERGOS and Sapphire assessment products provide the opportunity for each evaluee to ask questions after the instructions are given as well as the ability to have the instructions repeated. We make every attempt when designing test instructions to use concrete terms that are directly transferable from one language to another. This offers parity in language construct (sentence structure) and content (substantive meaning) when test instructions are presented in the evaluee’s native language.

Second, the ERGOS Work Simulator and Sapphire Work Assessment System provide a strict “informed consent” opportunity for the evaluee prior to participation in each test activity. The concept of informed consent consists of the evaluee’s fully understanding what the activity is intended to measure, what they are to perform on the activity and that they agree to voluntarily participate in the activity to the best of their ability. The evaluee confirms this following the instruction administration by physically pushing a button on the ERGOS or by touching a touch screen to administer the test activity. The test will only continue if the evaluee confirms their consent. In other words, the evaluator cannot make the evaluee perform any test activity since he/she must first confirm they understand what is requested and assent to participate in the test activity.

Third, all test activities on the ERGOS Work Simulator and Sapphire Work Assessment System are criterion based (objective measurable standards) and do not use normative (prejudicial) scoring. All strength test activities compare the evaluee directly with either the U.S. Department of Labor Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) work classification standards, Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) definitions or with measured job analyses. In addition, work posture and worker interface performances are compared to Methods-time Measurement (MTM) work standards or job analyses. The ERGOS Work Simulator was the first human performance measurement system to use MTM for criterion based work capacity comparison.

Q: I notice that on the new Sapphire™ and ERGOS II® systems that you no longer use a JAMAR grip. Your grip is a circular device and only one grip size is measured. Why the change?

A: We re-designed the new grip on the Sapphire™ and ERGOS II® because of continuing difficulties with the electronic version of the original grip design. Over the last twenty years, our users continued to have difficulties maintaining the zero point and strain gauge slope because of leakage in the original design. The original grip device was the five position type used in many clinics throughout the world. This design had become the default test device, but was susceptible to leaks in the device’s hydraulic design. This required continued calibration and we found that it often affected the accuracy of the device. Since the original ERGOS® Work Simulator used only the second position for its functional grip assessment protocol, we redesigned the grip to be a solid-state device using proven electronic load-cell technology. The new device has many improvements based on several years of ERGOS® user feedback. First, the new design used a circular grip rather than a finger-palmer opposing grip. With input from hand therapy researchers, we added a vinyl covering to the new grip device to reduce the reported hand irritation caused by the raw metal that the original design reportedly caused. We have found that post surgical patients have tolerated the new grip device and report less surgical site irritation. Second, we use the median grip circumference of the original device in the new device to further foster a functional grip assessment standard for adult workers. Third, the new device is solid state and is not hydraulic, dramatically reducing the frequency of calibration. We have found that if the device remains in a relatively evenly temperature controlled environment that it tends to hold its calibration well in excess of a year. Last, as with all of our new test devices, the grip computer interface is USB. This allows the user to connect to any computer having the Sapphire software installed.

Q: We just started using our new ERGOS® Sapphire™ Work Assessment System after retiring our old ERGOS® Work Simulator (circa 1987). We love the new system, especially the Windows touch screen operation. Our hand therapist observed that the “handling” assessment protocol now uses a square block that is rotated 90 degrees repeatedly during the test, which is different than the original disc that was flipped over during the test. Why is such a different approach used on the new Sapphire™ system? I liked the original ERGOS® disc design because it was similar to the Minnesota Rate of Manipulation test I was trained on as an evaluator trainee.

A: In our re-design of the ERGOS® Sapphire™ Work Assessment System and the ERGOS® II, we have retained the essential components of the fingering pin test, but upgraded the handling test with the addition of a square block instead of the disc for a number of reasons. Feedback from hand therapy researchers noted that the original ERGOS® disc flipping finger movement test routine was not as discriminating as desired when requiring the evaluee to turn the disc over. The reasons for this appear to be twofold. Foremost, is the fact that the disc is not heavy enough to require the hands and fingers to fully control the placement moves. It was also observed that the disc’s circular shape allowed the evaluee to flip the disc without a significant degree of proprioceptive interface. This allowed the evaluee to flip the disc with limited motor control and led to the possibility of false-positive scores which affected the predictability of functional work capacity for handling as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. The original ERGOS® handling test paralleled the Minnesota Rate of Manipulation test which has the same limitations described above. Hand therapy researchers we consulted suggested that three elements of the ERGOS® test be upgraded. First, it was suggested we change the circular disc target to a square target. Changing the target to the square shape increases the intensity of the evaluee’s motor control when placing it into the corresponding square recess on the test apparatus. Second, it was suggested that we increase the square target’s weight over the original disc fourfold. Increasing the square target weight intensifies the evaluee’s proprioceptive interface. Third, it was suggested that an eversion placement move be incorporated into the test. Requiring the evaluee to evert the square target 90 degrees during the placement moves produces a functional ergonomic load more representative of the work environment. The sum result of these changes produces a more predictive handling performance test which is more predictive of functional work capacity. It should also be noted that in the new fingering pin test, we have kept the original test design, but now require the evaluee to remain in contact with the target pin during placement until it reaches the bottom of the apparatus destination hole. This change insures that the motor control of the move is more precise compared with the original ERGOS® drop-in design which was similar to movements found on outdated normative tests such as the Purdue Pegboard. Again, the feedback from early users notes that the new ERGOS® fingering test provides a better measure of the evaluee’s functional work performance.

Q: Our hospital has in addition to the ERGOS® Work Simulator; another computer operated testing system called ARCON. We noticed when we perform pre-employment testing for hiring staff, the isometric lift performances of the candidates measure half as much on the ERGOS® compared to the ARCON. How can there be this much difference on the same test?  Aren’t these tests the same, or is the test data recorded differently on the ERGOS®?”

A: Your observations are accurate and reflect the initial limitations that occurred with the introduction of isometric strength testing. There is considerable research documenting that the evaluee’s isometric lift strength is approximately double their functional lift strength. In the 1970’s this limitation lead many users away from this testing approach because it grossly over reported the evaluee’s strength. Since 1986, the ERGOS® method has adjusted and corrected this reporting error by using dual-channel load cell recording of the evaluee’s isometric strength effort. ERGOS® does this by independently measuring the left and right performances during the isometric test. ERGOS® reports the left-right averages after removing the test ramp-up artifact which can greatly misrepresent test data. The resulting corrected performance average results in a very accurate measure of the evaluee’s functional strength. Unfortunately, the ARCON and older isometric testing systems use a single load cell produce approximately a 100% over-estimate of the evaluee’s performance. Unless this is adjusted, the results simply do not accurately report the functional strength of the test subject. Single load cell systems also have no possible method of recording the real-time left-right strength relationship that may be affecting the test subject’s performance. The ERGOS® isometric strength method does this and much more. These details are covered in-depth during the Certified ERGOS® Evaluator (CEE™) and Certified ERGOS® Sapphire™ Evaluator (CESE™) training programs.