A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Internal consistency, factor structure, and floor/ceiling effect of Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire among people with carpal tunnel syndrome




AuthorsMiikkulainen, Annika; Saltychev, Mikhail; Widbom-Kolhanen, Sara; Juhola, Juhani; Taskinen, Hanna-Stiina

PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Publication year2025

Journal: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research

Journal name in sourceInternational Journal of Rehabilitation Research

Volume48

ISSN0342-5282

eISSN1473-5660

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1097/MRR.0000000000000673

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingNo Open Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://journals.lww.com/intjrehabilres/abstract/2025/09000/internal_consistency,_factor_structure,_and.7.aspx

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499503453


Abstract

Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) is commonly used in carpal tunnel syndrome, while the knowledge on its psychometrics in this disorder is limited. The objective of this study was to explore the internal consistency, factor structure, and floor/ceiling effect of QuickDASH among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. This was a retrospective cross-sectional register-based study among 1597 patients with electromyography-confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s α. Exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate factor structure. Of 1597 respondents, 896 (56%) were women. The average age was 55.0 (16.3) years. The mean QuickDASH score was 38 (23.2) points. QuickDASH demonstrated an excellent internal consistency with α of 0.92 (95% confidence interval: 0.92–0.93). Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated unidimensionality. Item loadings were moderate to substantial for all 11 items, varying from 0.55 to 0.83. A significant floor effect was observed for nine of 11 items varying from 20 to 51%. A ceiling effect was observed for one item (#6 ‘recreational activities’). Despite its significant floor effect, QuickDASH can be recommended as a valid and reliable scale to assess the severity of disability caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.


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Last updated on 18/12/2025 10:32:50 AM