Easy Test Creator 
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale

   

Examination Procedure  

(Should be completed before scoring test)

Either before or after completing the examination procedure, observe the patient unobtrusively at rest (e.g., in the waiting room).

  1. The chair to be used in this examination should be a hard, firm one without arms.
  2. Ask the patient whether there is anything in his or her mouth (such as gum or candy) and, if so, to remove it.
  3. Ask about the *current* condition of the patient's teeth. Ask if he or she wears dentures. Ask whether teeth or dentures bother the patient *now*.
  4. Ask whether the patient notices any movements in his or her mouth, face, hands, or feet. If yes, ask the patient to describe them and to indicate to what extent they *currently* bother the patient or interfere with activities.
  5. Have the patient sit in chair with hands on knees, legs slightly apart, and feet flat on floor. (Look at the entire body for movements while the patient is in this position.)
  6. Ask the patient to sit with hands hanging unsupported -- if male, between his legs, if female and wearing a dress, hanging over her knees. (Observe hands and other body areas).
  7. Ask the patient to open his or her mouth. (Observe the tongue at rest within the mouth.) Do this twice.
  8. Ask the patient to protrude his or her tongue. (Observe abnormalities of tongue movement.) Do this twice.
  9. Ask the patient to tap his or her thumb with each finger as rapidly as possible for 10 to 15 seconds, first with right hand, then with left hand. (Observe facial and leg movements.) [±activated]
  10. Flex and extend the patient's left and right arms, one at a time.
  11. Ask the patient to stand up. (Observe the patient in profile. Observe all body areas again, hips included.)
  12. Ask the patient to extend both arms out in front, palms down. (Observe trunk, legs, and mouth.) [activated]
  13. Have the patient walk a few paces, turn, and walk back to the chair. (Observe hands and gait.) Do this twice. [activated]

 

Questions

 

Question  1

Rate facial and oral movements: Muscles of facial expression e.g. movements of forehead, eyebrows, periorbital area. Include frowning, blinking, and grimacing of upper face.

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  2

Rate facial and oral movements: Lips and perioral area e.g. puckering, pouting, and smacking.

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  3

Rate facial and oral movements: Jaw e.g. biting, clenching, chewing, mouth opening, and lateral movements.

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  4

Rate facial and oral movements: Tongue - Rate only increase in movements both in and out of mouth, NOT inability to sustain movement.

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  5

Rate extremity movements: Upper (arms, wrists, hands, fingers). Include choreic movements (rapid, objectively purposeless, irregular, spontaneous) and athetoid movements (slow, irregular, complex, serpentine). DO NOT include tremor (repetitive, regular, rhythmic).

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  6

Rate extremity movements: Lower (legs, knees, ankles, toes) e.g. lateral knee movement, foot tapping, heel dropping, foot squirming, inversion and eversion of foot.

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  7

Rate trunk movements: Neck, shoulders, hips e.g. rocking, twisting, squirming, pelvic gyrations. Include diaphragmatic movements.

None

Minimal, may be extreme normal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  8

Rate the overall severity of abnormal movements

None, or normal

Minimal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  9

Rate overall incapacitation of the patient due to abnormal movements

None, or normal

Minimal

Mild

Moderate

Severe
 

Question  10

Rate the patient's awareness of abnormal movements

No awareness

Aware, no distress

Aware, mild distress

Aware, moderate distress

Aware, severe distress
 

Question  11

Are there any current problems with teeth or dentures?

No

Yes
 

Question  12

Does the patient usually wear dentures?

No

Yes

Complete all questions, Check your answers ...

Click FINISHED button when test is complete.