Description

The Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire is a self-report tool designed to measure physical function and symptoms in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. It assesses the impact of upper limb disabilities on daily activities and quality of life. The questionnaire includes 30 items covering various aspects of arm, shoulder, and hand function, including limitations in performing daily tasks, pain, and other symptoms.

Data Analysis and Use

Data analysis of the DASH Questionnaire involves several steps:
Descriptive Statistics:Means and Standard Deviations: Calculate the mean scores and standard deviations for the overall DASH score and individual items to summarize the level of disability and symptom severity.
Reliability:Internal Consistency: Evaluate the internal consistency of the questionnaire using Cronbach’s alpha to ensure that the items are measuring the same underlying construct.
Validity:Construct Validity: Assess the construct validity by examining how well the DASH scores correlate with other measures of physical function and disability.
Concurrent Validity: Compare DASH scores with other established instruments measuring similar constructs to validate the results.
Factor Analysis:Conduct factor analyses if needed to identify underlying dimensions of disability and symptoms that the DASH Questionnaire measures.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the DASH Questionnaire is to provide a reliable and comprehensive measure of upper extremity disability. It is used for:
Clinical Assessment: Evaluating the level of disability in patients with arm, shoulder, and hand conditions, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring changes over time.
Research: Studying the impact of various interventions on upper extremity function and disability, and understanding the effectiveness of different treatments.
Outcome Measurement: Assessing the outcomes of surgical or non-surgical interventions and tracking improvements or deterioration in patients’ conditions.

Calibration

The calibration of the DASH Questionnaire involves:
Internal Consistency Assessment: Determining the reliability of the questionnaire through Cronbach’s alpha to ensure consistent responses across the items.
Comparative Analysis: Comparing results with those from other validated tools to confirm the validity and reliability of the DASH scores.

Bibliography

Hudak, P. L., Amadio, P. C., & Bombardier, C. (1996). Development of an upper extremity outcome measure: The DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand). The Upper Extremity Collaborative Group. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 29(6), 602-608.
Cullen, N., & Aitchison, T. (1998). The DASH outcome measure: A critical review. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 80(8), 1224-1226.
Kellgren, J. H., & Lawrence, J. S. (1957). Radiological assessment of osteo-arthrosis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 16(4), 494-502.
Miettinen, T. (2007). Measuring the impact of shoulder disorders: The DASH questionnaire in different contexts. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 16(6), 757-764.