The "Shoulder, Arms and Hand Disability Questionnaire" as a scale for identification of the diagnosis-specific activity profile

Abstract

Functional disabilities of the upper extremities have a considerable social and economic impact so that interest was aroused in developing a valid and reliable instrument suitable for international use. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire is a self-report measure recording functional limitations in the upper extremity. A German version is now available in German-speaking countries. Previous studies have been concerned with the evaluation of DASH scores. Based on the data of four diagnostic groups, this study explores DASH's ability to identify diagnosis-specific limitations at the item level. The data were pooled and examined with regard to significant differences within the groups. Diagnosis-specific limitations could be identified within all groups, indicating that DASH is capable of expressing diagnostic entities as well as summed scores. Consideration of the individual profiles opens the possibility of using DASH as a prognostic tool to anticipate functional problems arising during rehabilitation following surgical interventions.