Psychometric properties of the shortened disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale in patients with shoulder pain
published online 18 March 2009.
Purpose
To examine the psychometric properties of the Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) in patients with shoulder pain.
Methods
Single-group repeated measures design in which 101 patients presenting to physical therapy completed the QuickDASH and the NPRS at the baseline examination and at a follow-up visit. At the follow-up all patients also completed the Global Rating of Change (GRC), which was used to dichotomize patients as improved or stable. Baseline and follow-up scores were used to determine the test-retest reliability, construct validity and minimal levels of detectable and clinically important change for both the QuickDASH and NPRS.
Results
Test-retest reliability was 0.90 for the QuickDASH and 0.74 for the NPRS. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was 8.0 points for the QuickDASH and 1.1 for the NPRS.
Conclusion
The NPRS and QuickDASH exhibit good test-retest reliability and responsiveness in patients with shoulder pain.
aPhysical Therapy Program, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO; Lead Clinician, Wardenburg Health Center, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
bRehabilitation Department, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA, and Faculty, Regis University Manual Therapy Fellowship Program, Denver, CO
cDepartment of Physical Therapy, Franklin Pierce College, Concord, NH; Physical Therapist, Rehabilitation Services, Concord Hospital, Concord, NH; and Faculty, Regis University Manual Therapy Fellowship Program, Denver, CO
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ABSTRACT