Purpose: To investigate the psychometric properties (reliability, validity and responsiveness) of the DASH-Arabic in a cohort of Arabic patients presenting with various upper extremity conditions.

Methods: Participants were 139 patients with various upper extremity conditions, who completed the DASH-Arabic at the baseline, 2–5 days later and 30–36 days later. Participants completed demographic data forms, the SF-36 and VAS at baseline, and a Global Rating of Change scale at first and second follow-ups.

Results: Cronbach’s alpha of the DASH-Arabic was 0.94. Test–retest reliability was excellent with an ICC of 0.97. The SEM was 3.50 and the MDC₉₅ was 9.28. Construct validity of the DASH-Arabic with the SF-36 subscales and VAS scores ranged from r −0.32 to −0.57, all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The effect size (ES) for the DASH-Arabic was 1.39 and its standard response mean was 1.51. The area under the curve was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.72–0.92, p < 0.001). The optimally efficient cutoff for an improvement was found to be a difference of 15 DASH points.

Conclusions: The DASH-Arabic is a reliable, valid and responsive upper extremity outcome measure for patients whose primary language is Arabic; it can be used to document patient status and outcomes and support evidence-based practice.

Implications for Rehabilitation
• The DASH-Arabic demonstrated sound psychometric properties of reliability, validity and responsiveness.
• It is an effective patient status and outcome tool that will support evidence-based practice.
• This tool is recommended for evaluating upper extremity work-related injuries and tracking therapeutic outcomes.