ABOUT

About Our Methods

Who We Are

R and D Services, LLC is owned and operated by Robert Townsend and Darrell Schapmire. Collectively we have nearly 60 years of experience in the field of functional testing. Our bios are found at the bottom of this page.

Distinguishing Features of our FCE

This FCE model on this site utilizes the important scientific concept of repeated measures in which initial measurements are cross-validated in a non-obvious way which substantially reduces . The measures we use to ensure the validity of the classification of validity of effort is the concept of “distraction-based” testing. This concept was described in 1980 by Gordon Waddell in an article published in Spine, the official journal of the North American Spine Society.

Distraction-Based Testing

The “distraction” in the lifting assessment is the inclusion of lifts performed on a lever arm, making visual estimation of workloads unlikely. The distraction in the hand strength test is the inclusion of simultaneous testing of both hands to assess validity of the standard one-handed grips and pinches. Mr. Schapmire conceived both of these concepts. Mr. Townsend was working in the same program when Schapmire first introduced these concepts in clinical practice in 1997.

Advocating for the Daubert Standard

Our goal is to level the playing field for both sides in functional testing. Our strategy is to make the “Daubert standard” the standard for determining validity of effort. We want to work with all stakeholders in this field including plaintiff and defense attorneys, claims and risk managers, adjusters, etc. to achieve this goal. We have only one agenda, and that is to elevate the quality of FCEs that are often now performed.

A White-Labeled and Completely Adaptable Testing Approach

Ours is a “white-labeled” FCE. Our reports contain all of the elements normally found in an FCE and can be blended with other protocols. But we are distinguished from the crowd by two special protocols offered for our users. One is the use of simultaneous bilateral testing during our Hand Strength Test to validate hand strength test results, a protocol that uses the standard gauges found in all clinics. Bilateral testing is a measure which overcomes the biofeedback loop that facilitates deceptive presentations which frequently occur during the “standard” protocols. Our lift test results are cross-validated by repeating baseline lifts of unmarked steel bars by repeating the same lifts on a simple lever arm. While the weight of unmarked bars can often be estimated by visual inspection, workloads on a lever arm are much more difficult to estimate for most people.

Odds of Successful Deception

The odds of “successful” deception on our Hand Strength Test are 1% (or 0.01), and this is achieved without misclassifying persons who are fully cooperating. Standard hand strength testing methods fail to objectively identify poor effort at least 30% of the time and also misidentify cooperative persons with a frequency of about 10%. The odds of guessing workloads on the lever arm with enough accuracy to “successfully” under-perform without being detected are approximately 1% (or 0.01). This means that underperformance on these protocols is identified 99% of the time. Since we know the sensitivity of both protocols is 99%, we can calculate the combined odds that both tests will be passed when a claimant is not fully cooperative can be calculated with basic math. The odds of “successful” deception on both tests are 1 in 10,000 (calculated by multiplying 0.01 x 0.01).

Obtaining a Lever Arm or Lever Arm Substitute

We do not intend to ever sell equipment, but we are prepared to assist any interested party in identifying a capable manufacturer in their own locale. We will assist those parties by providing pictures and specifications for the lever arm and communicating with the manufacturer. We will also assist parties would prefer an alternative to the lever arm to under-served markets, provided that our current and active customers are not adversely and significantly impacted.

No Agenda, Just the Facts

We have neither a plaintiff or defense orientation. Our testing methods comprise a two-edged sword. They help clinicians and guarantors by identifying questionable presentations … and they help those claimants who have actual functional deficits in assisting their attorneys prosecute their cases. No matter “which side” they are on, we can assist them in definitively moving problematic cases to a successful conclusion. If you or somebody you know has such a case, go to our “About” page for details as to how we can assist in bringing about fair and rapid closure. Provide your phone number and we will call you.

Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend began performing functional testing (FCEs, POETs, Fit for Duty), job site analysis and providing work conditioning to injured workers in 1997 at Midwest Industrial Rehabilitation. Since that time, he has served as Director of Research and Education at WCS Occupational Rehabilitation in the Chicago area from 2000 to 2012. During his tenure at WCS, Robert obtained his CEAS II (Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist).

In addition to having a passion on the treatment and testing of the injured worker, Robert has a passion for education. He as held full-time faculty positions at Millikin University and the University of Memphis along with adjunct positions at Benedictine University, Rockhurst University and the Work Comp College. In addition to authoring and co-authoring several articles on functional testing and performance training, Mr. Townsend has presented at multiple conferences including Missouri Physical Therapy Association, Mid-South Workers' Compensation Association, Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, Indiana Workers' Compensation Institute, the Great Lakes Athletic Training Association, and several state level NSCA clinics. Most recently, Robert has presented at WCI 2022 Conference, 2022 Florida RIMS, 2023 South Carolina Workers' Compensation Education Association and is scheduled to speak at the 2024 National Conference of Self-Insured and National Comp.

VIEW CV

Darrell Schapmire

My experience in functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) began in 1991 after making a mid-life career change and earning a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Illinois Benedictine College, now Benedictine University. The degree involved two years of full-time study. It focused on the body’s micro- and macro-physiological responses in the cardio-pulmonary, musculoskeletal, nervous and integumentary systems during exercise or in response to other physical stress. Also heavily emphasized were proper scientific methodology, experimental design, appropriate and meaningful statistical analysis, and finding and understanding relevant published peer-reviewed literature.

I am grateful for the opportunity to become involved once more with the testing concepts that I developed under the trademark “XRTS” and sold to Bardavon Health Innovations, LLC in 2013. During my career, I have been blessed to find persons in this field who understand the importance of the integrity of the functional capacity evaluation reports which they create. During a research initiative which was over three years in completing, we worked as a team to get a total of six original research (studies which were either novel or offered new insights on important subject matter) and two extensive literature reviews of FCE and clinical assessment methods. Three other peer-reviewed studies were published by independent parties verified our findings with regard to lever arm testing. These journals which published these studies were the Journal of Hand Therapy, Work, Professional Case Management, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the International Association of Accident Boards and Commissions.Rob and I have a total of more than 60 years of experience in this field. We have experience wearing a variety of hats: employees, managers, product developer, researchers, expert witnesses for defense entities and petitioners, educators, coaches for clinicians and attorneys in preparation to provide or take legal testimony. We are dedicated to the idea that cases being litigated in our civil justice systems should be decided on objective data and scientifically-valid methodology that is supported by peer-reviewed studies. Our primary goal regarding our customers is to assist them with growing their FCE referrals if that is consistent with their business model. I look forward to re-connecting with old XRTS customers and with getting to know the newer users as well.

Consulting Services

If you have an FCE which has had an averse affect on your client's interest, regardless as to whether the client is an employer or a claimant, we will provide you with the information required to successfully challenge the results of the test.  We give our customers three options to mounting such a challenge:

An analysis of the results which will highlight the areas of the test which can be challenged, provide the customer with the rationale for the challenge and also cite the authority in terms of the published research.
A well-organized list of interrogatories to use when taking legal testimony
A combination of these services.

We will provide these services at a fixed rate. 

In addition to reviewing adverse FCEs, we will also assist you if your client has been denied employment as the result of isometric or isokinetic testing for prospective employees.

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Categories of Consulting

Evidence Based FCE
& Case Review

We can assist in reviewing return to work processes and possibilities. This would include identifying, timing and utilization of necessity services. We can guide the therapeutic MMI timeline and scheduled FCE in order to increase the likelihood of valid results. Optimize the return to employment with specialty services such as Work Conditioning, Job Analysis, Ergonomic Assessments and Job Coaching.

FCE & Industrial Rehab
Training & Education

These courses are geared towards the provider to increase their knowledge on FCE methodology in both theory and practice. The courses can be customized towards the provider organization's staff expectations and brand.

The Industrial Rehabilitation Training is centered on training providers to have a multi-faceted approach to expedite a return to work both safely and effectively. This course centers on transitioning from acute rehabilitation towards work specific activities. Keeping cost in mind, providers will be educated on how a general exercise based approach can achieve great results without the need of expensive equipment.

Data
Analytics

Many analytics have limitations in creating an "apples to apples" comparison with their data sets. This is especially true when comparing "averages" of two or more different groups. R&D Services has decades of research experience as well as teaching measurement and evaluation at the university level. We can assist in study design, data aggregation and non-traditional metrics to not only determine if a statistical differences exists between two groups but if that difference is meaningful and relevant for decision making.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

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