title: Reliability and applicability of movement disorder rating scales in the elderly.
abstract: Geriatric research clinicians were readily trained to use three scales initially developed for rating neuroleptic-induced movement disorders in mixed-age patients: the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS), Simpson Extra Pyramidal Side Effect Scale (SEPSE), and Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS). Interrater reliability, calculated by intraclass correlation coefficients, ranged from 0.79 to 0.93. Of elderly psychiatric inpatients tested, 97% were able to complete the examination, despite significant psychiatric, cognitive, and physical disabilities. AIMS, SEPSE, and BAS are reliable instruments for assessment of movement disorders in the elderly, representing an important first step in standardized evaluation of dyskinesia, parkinsonism, and akathisia in elderly psychiatric populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: DeSensi
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Zubenko
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results