About the QuickDASH
The QuickDASH is a brief, patient-reported outcome measure that assesses physical function and symptoms in individuals with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. By focusing on the patient's perspective, it provides valuable insights into the impact of these conditions on daily life and aids clinicians in monitoring progress and tailoring interventions. Its brevity makes it suitable for use in busy clinical settings and large-scale research studies.
Medical Specialties
Anatomic Areas
Clinical Indications
Developer Information
The QuickDASH was developed by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Toronto, Canada, in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and other organisations. It was derived from the original 30-item DASH questionnaire to provide a more efficient assessment tool.
Copyright & Licensing
The QuickDASH is copyrighted by the Institute for Work & Health. The questionnaire is available for use without a fee, but users must agree to the terms and conditions set by the IWH. Permission should be obtained from the Institute for Work & Health before use. Official translations and licensing information are available at dash.iwh.on.ca.
Administration Instructions
Answer every question about your symptoms and ability to perform activities over the last week. Select the response that best describes your condition. If you did not perform an activity, make your best estimate.
Scoring Methodology
The QuickDASH consists of 11 items, each scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = no difficulty/symptoms to 5 = unable/extreme symptoms). MAIN SCORE FORMULA: [(sum of n responses / n) - 1] × 25, where n is the number of completed responses. SCORING REQUIREMENTS: - Main QuickDASH (11 items): A score CANNOT be calculated if more than one item is missing. At least 10 of 11 items must be completed. - Optional Modules (4 items each): A score CANNOT be calculated if ANY item is missing. All 4 items must be completed. OPTIONAL MODULE FORMULA: [(sum of 4 responses / 4) - 1] × 25 All scores range from 0-100, where 0 represents no disability and 100 represents most severe disability.
Meaningful Change Threshold
A change of 15.9 points in the QuickDASH score is considered the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), indicating a meaningful change in a patient's condition. A change of 8 points has been suggested as the minimal detectable change.
Score Interpretation
Understanding what your score means
minimal disability
0 - 20Minimal disability - Patient experiences little to no impact on daily activities and upper limb function.
mild disability
21 - 40Mild disability - Patient experiences some difficulty with upper limb activities but can manage most tasks.
moderate disability
41 - 60Moderate disability - Patient has significant difficulty with upper limb activities affecting daily function.
severe disability
61 - 80Severe disability - Patient has major limitations in upper limb function requiring significant modifications.
extreme disability
81 - 100Extreme disability - Patient is unable to perform most upper limb activities, severely impacting independence.
Subscales
This questionnaire measures multiple dimensions
Work Module (Optional) (0-100)
For those whose main role is work or homemaking. Assesses difficulty with: using usual technique for work, doing usual work because of pain, doing work as well as desired, and spending usual amount of time doing work.
Sports/Performing Arts Module (Optional) (0-100)
For those who play a sport or musical instrument. Assesses difficulty with: using usual technique, playing because of pain, playing as well as desired, and spending usual amount of time practising or playing.
Clinical Limitations & Considerations
Whilst the QuickDASH is a reliable and valid measure, it may not capture all aspects of upper limb function, particularly in complex or highly specific cases. The questionnaire focuses on physical function and symptoms, but does not assess psychological factors or quality of life. Cultural and language differences may affect the interpretation of certain items, and validated translations should be used for non-English speaking populations. The main QuickDASH score cannot be calculated if more than one item is missing. The optional modules (Work, Sports/Performing Arts) have stricter requirements - they cannot be scored if ANY item is missing, which may limit their utility when patients cannot complete all questions.
Supporting Literature
Key validation and development studies for the QuickDASH
- 1
Development of the QuickDASH: comparison of three item-reduction approaches
Beaton DE, Wright JG, Katz JN, Upper Extremity Collaborative Group
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume, 2005
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