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The Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale--revisited
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Imperial College, Charing Cross Campus, London, UK. t.r.barnes@imperial.ac.uk
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|February 12, 2004
Summary
Akathisia is a movement disorder causing restlessness, often linked to antipsychotic drugs. The Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale is a reliable tool for assessing its symptoms and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Akathisia is a motor restlessness syndrome frequently associated with antipsychotic medications.
- It involves subjective mental unease and an objective urge to move, with characteristic restless movements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the signs and symptoms of akathisia.
- To discuss the diagnosis and assessment of akathisia, focusing on the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on akathisia, its clinical features, and assessment tools.
- Focus on the development, validation, and application of the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale.
Main Results:
- The Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale was developed 15 years ago based on studies of antipsychotic-induced akathisia.
- The scale has demonstrated established validity and reliability.
- It is widely utilized in global clinical studies for akathisia assessment.
Conclusions:
- The Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale is a validated and reliable instrument for assessing antipsychotic-induced akathisia.
- Its extensive use in clinical studies underscores its importance in understanding and managing this condition.