Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS)
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Objective
Normal, occasional fidgety movements of the limbs
Presence of characteristic restless movements: shuffling or tramping movements of the legs/feet, or swinging of one leg while sitting, and/or rocking from foot to foot or walking on the spot when standing, but movements present for less than half the time observed
Observed phenomena, as described in the criteria above, which are present for at least half the observation period
Patient is constantly engaged in characteristic restless movements, and/or has the inability to remain seated or standing without walking or pacing, during the time observed
Subjective: Awareness of restlessness
Absence of inner restlessness
Non-specific sense of inner restlessness
The patient is aware of an inability to keep the legs still, or a desire to move the legs, and/or complains of inner restlessness aggravated specifically by being required to stand still
Awareness of intense compulsion to move most of the time and/or reports strong desire to walk or pace most of the time
Subjective: Distress related to restlessness
No distress
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Global Clinical Assessment of Akathisia
Absent. No evidence of awareness of restlessness. Observation of characteristic movements of akathisia in the absence of a subjective report of inner restlessness or compulsive desire to move the legs should be classified as pseudoakathisia
Questionable. Non-specific inner tension and fidgety movements
Mild akathisia. Awareness of restlessness in the legs and/or inner restlessness worse when required to stand still. Fidgety movements present, but characteristic restless movements of akathisia not necessarily observed. Condition causes little or no distress
Moderate akathisia. Awareness of restlessness as described for mild akathisia above, combined with characteristic restless movements such as rocking from foot to foot when standing. Patient finds the condition distressing
Marked akathisia. Subjective experience of restlessness includes a compulsive desire to walk or pace. However, the patient is able to remain seated for at least five minutes. The condition is obviously distressing
Severe akathisia. The patient reports a strong compulsion to pace up and down most of the time. Unable to sit or lie down for more than a few minutes. Constant restlessness which is associated with intense distress and insomnia
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