The DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) is a popular outcome measure in hand therapy
It involves the patient completing a questionnaire themselves
Consists of 30 questions and two optional sections focused on work and sports/performing arts
The questions assess their perception of how their upper extremity disability affects their function
Patient rates on a scale of 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (unable) on their ability to complete a certain skill, such as opening a jar
It helps clinicians track progress over time, evaluate levels of disability, and provide patient-centered care based on responses
The optional work and sports/performing arts sections are particularly valuable for identifying symptoms that may only occur during specific tasks, such as in high-performance sports, performing arts, or demanding work.
The DASH is a reliable instrument for both clinical and research use
The QuickDASH is a shortened version of the DASH, containing only 11 questions instead of 30
It still assesses physical function and symptoms related to upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders
The QuickDASH offers a quicker assessment
It also includes optional sections for work and sports/performing arts, similar to the full DASH
The QuickDASH is ideal when a quick assessment is needed, and may be preferred by patients due to its shorter length
The DASH is preferred when greater precision is necessary, especially for monitoring detailed changes in symptoms and function over time
Additional Information
Learn more about and access the DASH and QuickDASH here: https://dash.iwh.on.ca/
Recommended Video
References
About the DASH. (n.d.). The DASH Outcome Measure. https://dash.iwh.on.ca/about-dash
About the QuickDASH. (n.d.). The DASH Outcome Measure. https://dash.iwh.on.ca/about-quickdash
Coppard, B. M., & Lohman, H. L. (2020). Introduction to orthotics: A clinical reasoning & problem-solving approach (5th ed.). Elsevier.