What is a rating scale?
A
rating scale is a set of
categories specifically designed to provide information on a particular feature
or attribute. This can be determined in either a quantitative or qualitative manner. Such scales require the ‘rater’ (the person
deciding on the points scored) to assign a value to the feature in question, according
to a scale based on certain criteria.
Today, rating scales are used widely for market research as well as to
produce comparative data on a range of topics in many fields of life.
Parkinson’s rating
scales and assessment tools
Parkinson’s
rating scales are useful in a number of ways when assessing the symptoms of the
disease. For example, they can help to provide information on the progression
of the condition and for quantifying the quality of life. They can also help evaluate treatment and
management strategies which can be useful to researchers, as well as to people
with Parkinson’s and their medical team.
A
number of different rating scales are used in Parkinson’s and frequently more
than one scale is used at a time in order to give a combined, broader picture. Although the motor or movement scales are
most well known and have been more widely used, there are a number of equally
important non-motor symptom scales which, when combined with a motor scale,
give a more balanced picture of how an individual is affected by the disease. A low motor score may imply that a person has
mild Parkinson’s but, at the same time, the person may have disabling non-motor
symptoms, which impact significantly on quality of life. It is therefore
important to assess both motor and non-motor aspects of the condition.
The
most commonly used Parkinson’s Disease scales are listed below:
There
are also a number of other scales that can be applied to a wide range of
conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease, including:
- Short-Form
36 (SF-36) – a relatively brief but comprehensive questionnaire to assess
generic health status
- Sickness
Impact Profile (SIP) – a general quality of life scale which measures 12
distinct areas of quality of life, including walking, movement and mobility,
body care, communication and social interaction
- Symptom
specific scales such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,
the Beck Depression Inventory and the Apathy
Evaluation Scale Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) – a simple means of
assessing cognitive function using a brief 30-point questionnaire
- Caregiver
Strain Index (CSI) – a 13-point questionnaire that helps measure the burden of
different aspects of caring and so quickly identifies those areas that may be
of concern.
