AIMS Scale
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ABNORMAL INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT SCALE (AIMS)
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

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PATIENT IDENTIFICATION 		DATE
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RATED BY  

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

The chair to be used in this examination should be a hard, firm chair without arms.

After observing the patient, he or she may be rated on a scale of 0 (none), 1 (minimal), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe) according to the severity of symptoms.

Ask the patient whether there is anything in his/her mouth (i.e., candy, etc.), and, if there is, to remove it.

Ask the patient about the current condition of his/her teeth. Ask patient if he/she wears dentures. Do teeth or dentures bother patient?

Ask patient whether he/she notices any movement in mouth, face, hands, or feet. If yes, ask to describe and to what extent they currently bother patient or interfere with his/her activities.

0 1 2 3 4 Have patient sit in chair with hands on knees, knees slightly apart, and feet flat on floor. (Look at body for movements while in this position.)

0 1 2 3 4

 Ask patient to sit with hands hanging unsupported, if male, between legs, if female and wearing a skirt, hanging over knees. (Observe hands and other body areas.)
0 1 2 3 4 Ask patient to open mouth. (Observe tongue at rest within mouth.) Do this twice.

0 1 2 3 4

 Ask patient to protrude tongue. (Observe abnormalities of tongue movement.) Do this twice.
0 1 2 3 4 Ask the patient to tap thumb, with each finger, as rapidly as possible for 10-15 seconds; perform separately with right hand, then with left hand. (Observe facial and leg movements.)
0 1 2 3 4 Flex and extend the patient's left and right arms. (One at a time.)
0 1 2 3 4 Ask patient to stand up. (Observe in profile. Observe all body areas again, hips included.)
0 1 2 3 4 *Ask patient to extend both arms outstretched in front with palms down. (Observe trunk, legs, and mouth.
0 1 2 3 4 *Have patient walk a few paces, turn, and walk back to chair. (Observe hands and gait.) Do this twice.
  * Activated Movements