Purpose To evaluate validity and reliability of the upper extremity work demands (UEWD) scale. Methods Participants from different levels of physical work demands, based on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles categories, were included. A historical database of 74 workers was added for factor analysis. Criterion validity was evaluated by comparing observed and self-reported UEWD scores. To assess structural validity, a factor analysis was executed. For reliability, the difference between two self-reported UEWD scores, the smallest detectable change (SDC), test–retest reliability and internal consistency were determined. Results Fifty-four participants were observed at work and 51 of them filled in the UEWD twice with a mean interval of 16.6 days (SD 3.3, range = 10–25 days). Criterion validity of the UEWD scale was moderate (r = .44, p = .001). Factor analysis revealed that ‘force and posture’ and ‘repetition’ subscales could be distinguished with Cronbach’s alpha of .79 and .84, respectively. Reliability was good; there was no significant difference between repeated measurements. An SDC of 5.0 was found. Test–retest reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement = .84) and all item-total correlations were >.30. There were two pairs of highly related items. Conclusion Reliability of the UEWD scale was good, but criterion validity was moderate. Based on current results, a modified UEWD scale (2 items removed, 1 item reworded, divided into 2 subscales) was proposed. Since observation appeared to be an inappropriate gold standard, we advise to investigate other types of validity, such as construct validity, in further research.

Construct validity and the test-retest reliability of UEWD-R were good. UEWD-R can be used to evaluate the workload of the upper extremities. However, further research is advised to assess the validity of the UEWD-R not only by testing associations with RULA,but also with other observational measures.

Background Musculoskeletal complaints of arm, neck, and shoulder (CANS) can lead to loss of work productivity. To assess the functional consequences of impairments in work, patient-reported outcomes can be important. The Hand Function Sort (HFS) is a 62-item pictorial questionnaire that focuses on work task performance. The aims of this study were the cross-cultural adaptation of HFS into HFS-Dutch Language Version (HFS-DLV) (Part I) and determining construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, responsiveness and floor/ceiling effects of HFS-DLV (Part II). Methods I: Translation into Dutch using international guidelines. II: Construct validity was assessed with Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the HFS-DLV and the Dutch version of the QuickDASH, PRWHE, PDI, RAND-36, NRS-pain, and work ability score. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s α and reliability by a test-retest procedure. A global rating scale of change was used after 4–8 weeks of hand therapy to determine responsiveness. Results I: Forty patients were included, and no items were changed. II: 126 patients with hand, wrist, and/or forearm disorders classified as specific or nonspecific CANS. Six predefined hypotheses (50%) were confirmed. Cronbach’s α: 0.98. Test-retest reliability: ICC of 0.922. AUC of 0.752. There were no floor/ceiling effects. Conclusions I: Translation process into the HFS-DLV went according to plan. II: For construct validity, the presumed direction of correlations was correct, but less than 75% of hypotheses were confirmed. Internal consistency was high, suggesting redundancy. Reliability and responsiveness of the HFS-DLV were good. HFS-DLV can be used in research or clinical practice for Dutch patients with CANS, to evaluate self-reported functional work ability.