Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale

Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). Akathisia is commonly monitored by the Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS). The emergence of dyskinesias (writhing or involuntary movements) could represent the emergence of TD. Monitor for TD at least annually, and if FGAs are used patients should be evaluated at each visit. The most commonly used instrument to measure these symptoms is the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). 

The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and the Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale (DISCUS) should be used to screen (at baseline and at least quarterly) and can facilitate early detection of TD, but neither scale is diagnostic. 

Observe closely for signs of fardive dyskinesia (abnormal involuntary movement scale)... 

It is recommended that neurological side effects be monitored carefully throughout the course of antipsychotic treatment. Rating scales can assist in monitoring for EPS and the involuntary movements seen in tardive dyskinesia. These include the Neurological Rating Scale (Simpson and Angus, 1970), the Barnes Akathisia Scale (Barnes, 1989), and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale ([AIMS] National Institute of Mental Health, 1985). 

National Institute for Mental Health. (1985) Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Psychopharmacol Bull 21 1077—1080. 

A clinical study of hospitalized drug-treated patients found many suffering from mental deterioration typical of a chronic organic brain syndrome that the researchers labeled dysmentia (Wilson et ah, 1983). Tardive dysmentia consists of unstable mood, loud speech, and [inappropriately close] approach to the examiner. It is probably a variant of hypomanic dementia.1 The mental abnormalities in the study by Wilson et al. (1983) correlated positively with TD symptoms measured on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. In addition, length of neuroleptic treatment correlated with three measures of dementia unstable mood, loud speech, and euphoria. The authors stated, It is our hypothesis that certain of the behavioral changes observed in schizophrenic patients over time represent a behavioral equivalent of tardive dyskinesia, which we will call tardive dysmentia (p. 188). The tendency in the literature, perhaps in search of a euphemism, has been to use the term tardive dysmentia even when a full-blown dementing syndrome is described. 

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder characterized by repetitive and involuntary movements such as grimacing, rapid eye blinking, and lip smacking. TD is a potentially irreversible side effect experienced by an estimated 25 % of patients treated longterm with FGAs [103]. Presence of TD is most commonly defined using the Schooler and Kane criteria [104], while severity of TD is most commonly measured using the abnormal involuntary movement scale score (AIMS) [105],... 

ACT active community treatment AIMS abnormal involuntary movement scale ANC absolute neutrophil count BLM buccolingual-masticatory (syndrome)... 

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