Which functional outcome measure is commonly used to evaluate upper-extremity function in musculoskeletal PT?

• A. DASH
• B. Oswestry Disability Index
• C. Visual Analog Scale
• D. Range of motion (ROM) measurement

Answer: (A)

Measuring how upper-extremity problems affect everyday function is best captured by a patient-reported outcome that targets the arm, shoulder, and hand. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire does exactly that by asking about difficulty with common activities (like lifting, carrying, gripping, and fine motor tasks) and related symptoms. It’s designed for a broad range of upper-extremity conditions, and it’s known for reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change over time. Scoring ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability; a shorter version, QuickDASH, is also available for efficiency.

The other options don’t fit as well: the Oswestry Disability Index focuses on low back disability; the Visual Analog Scale measures pain intensity rather than functional ability; and a range of motion measurement assesses movement capacity (an impairment) rather than how functionally limited a patient feels in daily life.