How is the DASH score calculated?

DASH = [(sum of the answered items ÷ number answered) − 1] × 25. Example: 30 items answered with a sum of 75 gives (75 ÷ 30 − 1) × 25 = 37.5. At least 27 of the 30 items must be answered; with more than 3 missing, no score is calculated.

What is the QuickDASH and how is it scored?

The QuickDASH is an 11-item short form of the DASH. Its items are DASH items 1, 7, 10, 14, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 29. It uses the same formula, [(sum ÷ n) − 1] × 25, and at least 10 of the 11 items must be answered. Example: a sum of 33 over 11 items gives (3 − 1) × 25 = 50.

What is a normal DASH score?

In the US general population the mean DASH score is about 10.1 (SD 14.7), according to Hunsaker et al. (2002). Higher scores mean more disability. The DASH has no official severity bands; the bands shown on this page are only descriptive.

What change in DASH score is clinically meaningful?

Franchignoni et al. (2014) estimated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at 10.83 points for the DASH and 15.91 points for the QuickDASH. A smaller change may be measurement noise. Enter a previous score in the calculator to compare.

How are the Work and Sports/Performing Arts modules scored?

Each optional module has 4 items rated 1–5 and is scored [(sum ÷ 4) − 1] × 25. All 4 items must be answered; with any missing, the module is not scored. Module scores are reported separately and are not added to the DASH score.

What is the DASH score for VTE recurrence?

It is a different score with the same name, derived by Tosetto et al. (J Thromb Haemost 2012) from 1,818 patients with a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism. Points: abnormal D-dimer after stopping anticoagulation +2, age ≤ 50 years +1, male sex +1, and VTE associated with hormonal therapy (women only) −2. Annual recurrence was 3.1% for a score ≤ 1, 6.4% for 2 and 12.3% for ≥ 3.

When is the D-dimer measured for the DASH VTE score?

In the derivation studies D-dimer was measured after stopping vitamin K antagonist therapy, typically about 3–4 weeks later. "Abnormal" means above the cut-off of the specific assay. The score was derived for unprovoked VTE after at least 3 months of treatment and performed less well in patients over 65 in external validation.

Does this tool provide medical advice?

No. Both scores are educational. Decisions about rehabilitation, surgery or how long to continue anticoagulation must be made with a qualified clinician, who will also weigh bleeding risk and patient preference.

DASH Score Calculator

Two scores share the name DASH. Answer the 30-item arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire to get DASH and QuickDASH (0–100) with the MCID, or switch tabs for the DASH score for VTE recurrence (D-dimer, Age, Sex, Hormones). Not medical advice.

DASH Questionnaire

Rate each item based on your experience over the past week. Items marked QD also form the QuickDASH.

DASH needs at least 27 of 30 items; QuickDASH needs at least 10 of 11. Select N/A only if the activity does not apply to you.

Items 1–21 — Difficulty with activities

1.Open a tight or new jar QD –

2.Write –

3.Turn a key –

4.Prepare a meal –

5.Push open a heavy door –

6.Place an object on a shelf above your head –

7.Do heavy household chores (e.g., wash walls, wash floors) QD –

8.Garden or do yard work –

9.Make a bed –

10.Carry a shopping bag or briefcase QD –

11.Carry a heavy object (over 10 lbs / 5 kg) –

12.Change a lightbulb overhead –

13.Wash or blow dry your hair –

14.Wash your back QD –

15.Put on a pullover sweater –

16.Use a knife to cut food QD –

17.Recreational activities which require little effort (e.g., card playing, knitting, etc.) –

18.Recreational activities in which you take some force or impact through your arm, shoulder, or hand (e.g., golf, hammering, tennis, etc.) QD –

19.Recreational activities in which you move your arm freely (e.g., playing frisbee, badminton, etc.) –

20.Manage transportation needs (getting from one place to another) –

21.Sexual activities –

Items 22–29 — Impact and symptoms

22.To what extent has your arm, shoulder, or hand problem interfered with normal social activities? QD –

23.Were you limited in work or other regular daily activities because of your arm, shoulder, or hand problem? QD –

24.Arm, shoulder, or hand pain QD –

25.Arm, shoulder, or hand pain when you performed any specific activity –

26.Tingling (pins and needles) in your arm, shoulder, or hand QD –

27.Weakness in your arm, shoulder, or hand –

28.Stiffness in your arm, shoulder, or hand –

29.How much difficulty have you had sleeping because of the pain in your arm, shoulder, or hand? QD –

Item 30 — Self-perception

30.I feel less capable, less confident, or less useful because of my arm, shoulder, or hand problem. –

Optional Work module (W1–W4)

Answer only if it applies to you. Scored separately, and only when all 4 items are answered.

W1.Using your usual technique for your work –

W2.Doing your usual work because of arm, shoulder, or hand pain –

W3.Doing your work as well as you would like –

W4.Spending your usual amount of time doing your work –

Optional Sports/Performing Arts module (S1–S4)

Answer only if it applies to you. Scored separately, and only when all 4 items are answered.

S1.Using your usual technique for playing your instrument or sport –

S2.Playing your musical instrument or sport because of arm, shoulder, or hand pain –

S3.Playing your musical instrument or sport as well as you would like –

S4.Spending your usual amount of time practising or playing your instrument or sport –

Progress

0 / 30

Minimum 27 items required for a valid DASH score.

DASH

—

needs 27 of 30

QuickDASH

—

needs 10 of 11

0 — No disability100

Work module—

Sports/arts module—

Sum of DASH responses—

Compare with a previous score

Interpretation

US population mean ≈ 10.1 (SD 14.7). MCID: DASH 10.8, QuickDASH 15.9 points.

DASH prediction score for recurrent VTE

For adults after a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism treated with at least 3 months of anticoagulation (Tosetto et al., J Thromb Haemost 2012).

D-dimer abnormal after stopping anticoagulation Measured about 3–4 weeks after stopping, above the assay's cut-off +2 Age ≤ 50 years The derivation paper describes the cut-off as under 50; common calculators use ≤ 50 +1

Sex

Male +1 Female 0

Hormone-associated VTE (women) Combined oral contraceptive or hormone therapy at the time of the clot −2

DASH (VTE) score

Score ≤ 1 — lower risk

Annual recurrence risk 3.1% (95% CI 2.3–3.9%).

The authors suggested that patients scoring ≤ 1 might avoid lifelong anticoagulation. Bleeding risk and preference also matter.

Score	Annual recurrence (95% CI)
≤ 1	3.1% (2.3–3.9)
2	6.4% (4.8–7.9)
≥ 3	12.3% (9.9–14.7)

Derivation: 1,818 patients from 7 prospective studies. In external validation the score discriminated less well in patients over 65.

Not medical advice. Both scores are for education. Rehabilitation, surgery and anticoagulation decisions must be made with a qualified clinician.

Summary

This page covers both scores called DASH. The DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) outcome measure from the Institute for Work & Health is a 30-item self-report questionnaire rated 1–5. The score is [(sum of responses ÷ number answered) − 1] × 25, from 0 (no disability) to 100, and needs at least 27 answers. The same answers also give the 11-item QuickDASH, which needs at least 10 of its 11 items. The optional Work and Sports/Performing Arts modules each have 4 items and need all 4. Results show the US population norm (mean 10.1) and the minimal clinically important difference (10.8 points for DASH, 15.9 for QuickDASH), and can be compared with a previous score. The second tab is the DASH prediction score for recurrent venous thromboembolism (Tosetto et al., 2012): abnormal D-dimer after stopping anticoagulation +2, age ≤ 50 +1, male sex +1, and VTE associated with hormonal therapy in women −2. The total maps to an annual recurrence risk of 3.1% (score ≤ 1), 6.4% (2) or 12.3% (≥ 3). For education only — not medical advice.

How it works

DASH tab: rate each item for the past week from 1 (no difficulty or no symptoms) to 5 (unable or extreme). Use N/A only when an activity does not apply.
DASH = [(sum ÷ n) − 1] × 25, where n is the number of items answered. At least 27 of 30 items are required.
QuickDASH uses 11 of the same items (marked QD) and the same formula, with at least 10 of 11 answered. Switch to "QuickDASH only" to see just those items.
The Work and Sports/Performing Arts modules are scored the same way but only when all 4 items are answered.
VTE tab: tick the factors that apply. Abnormal D-dimer +2, age ≤ 50 +1, male sex +1, hormone-associated VTE (women) −2. The total gives the annual recurrence risk band.

Use cases

Scoring the DASH or QuickDASH before and after shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand surgery or therapy.
Checking whether a change between visits exceeds the minimal clinically important difference.
Scoring the optional Work or Sports/Performing Arts module for workers, athletes and musicians.
Research outcome assessment in orthopaedic and hand therapy studies.
Learning how the DASH prediction score estimates VTE recurrence risk after a first unprovoked clot.
Teaching the components of the DASH VTE rule: D-dimer, Age, Sex and Hormones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-10-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu