Introduction:

The scale of disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand is used to evaluate the upper limbs as a functional unit. This instrument is certified in different languages and allows the study of various pathologies, especially musculoskeletal diseases.

Objective:

To consolidate validation processes implemented to the DASH scale in Spanish.

Methods:

A literature search was performed in the databases PubMed, Clinical Key, SciELO, Science Direct, Epistemonikos and Google. Articles published up to 31 August 2020 were included without restricting the start date.

Development:

A total of seven studies were included in the review, six of them validated the full version of the DASH scale and one the short version, based on the following types of validation: content, criterion, construct, longitudinal and convergent. It was used in patients with surgical management, population with breast cancer, musculoskeletal pathologies and healthy patients. This scale allows evaluating the evolution and effectiveness of the treatment to determine the impact of the disease on the structures and function of the upper limb.

Conclusion:

The use of the DASH scale is recommended to evaluate the upper limbs because it has shown good results of validity and reliability. It is also a useful and low-cost instrument that allows its implementation in countries with scarce resources or little investment in the health system.

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