[Studies of the reliability and validity of the German version of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale...

In both its original and German version, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression-Rating Scale (MADRS) has proved to be efficient and practical, and the level of its interrater reliability would appear to be satisfactorily high. With regard to the detection of changes occurring during the course of a depressive phase, this scale exhibits a degree of sensitivity that is comparable to that reported for the HAMD. The concurrent validity between the MADRS and the HAMD is higher over time (.94) than in cross-section (.85). Factor analyses have demonstrated that the MADRS is capable of recording more psychological symptoms of depression than the HAMD. Thus, the MADRS should be applied in combination with other rating scales. Contrary to the intentions of the devisers of this scale, it has been found that, significantly different assessments may result when the same patient is rated by various groups (psychiatrists, psychologists, students and psychiatric nurses). These differences are of practical relevance and are greatest for the first assessment. Clearly, the selection of the time of rating as well as the length of the time period to be included in the evaluation are of particular importance. Even though it has been emphasized that the operationalization of the MADRS is very good, it would appear that also special training in the use of this rating scale is necessary.