Movement disorders are a group of nervous system conditions that affect movement. Essential tremor is a common neurological condition characterized by rhythmic shaking, typically affecting the hands, head, or voice. Although the AIMS test is not specifically designed for essential tremor, it is useful in evaluating the severity and impact of tremors on daily functioning. In cases where essential tremor coexists with other movement disorders, the AIMS test provides valuable data for differential diagnosis. With a PPV of approximately 78% for identifying tremor-related movement disorders, it serves as a helpful adjunct in clinical assessments.

In summary, the AIMS test is a vital tool for diagnosing, monitoring, and managing involuntary movement disorders. Its simplicity, reliability, and versatility make it an indispensable component of modern healthcare, ensuring patients receive the comprehensive care they need and deserve. In addition to aiding diagnosis, the AIMS test is crucial for monitoring treatment effectiveness.

If a condition causes the movement disorder, treating the condition may help improve symptoms. Our study is the first study we could find that aims to increase the awareness and use of screening instruments for TD in resident education. This project shows that resident-led QI initiatives can produce significant changes.

• Residents are aware of the challenges presented by the system and are uniquely placed to design appropriate interventions.
• Incorporating the AIMS test into routine care empowers primary care providers to play a critical role in the early detection and management of movement disorders.
• Sometimes, RLS can run in families, especially if the patient started experiencing the condition before turning 40.
• Unfortunately, many of these impairments are involuntary movements, which can have a greater impact on a patient’s ability to work, perform daily activities, and remain independent.

Wilson’s Disease

“These diseases can cause excessive movement, lack of movement, neurological cell death, and much more. There is a wide variety of symptoms and diseases that can be classified as neurological movement disorders.” A neurological movement disorder is any nervous system condition that changes how the body moves, whether voluntary or involuntary. Unfortunately, many of these conditions can make simple tasks difficult for patients who are diagnosed.

The AIMS test is specifically designed for the screening and monitoring of tardive dyskinesia. It involves a structured assessment of various body regions to detect both subtle and overt signs of abnormal movements. With a PPV of 90% and an NPV of 92%, the AIMS test is one of the most accurate tools for diagnosing TD, enabling early intervention and effective management.

How Is an Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) Test Performed?

The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is a clinical tool specifically designed to evaluate involuntary movements, particularly those linked to neurological and psychiatric conditions. It is most commonly used to screen for and monitor tardive dyskinesia, a condition characterized by repetitive, jerky movements often resulting from long-term use of antipsychotic medications. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medications, characterized by muscle rigidity, fever, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. While the AIMS test is not directly used to diagnose NMS, it plays a role in identifying residual movement abnormalities in recovering patients, such as drug-induced dyskinesias. By documenting these movements, the AIMS test helps differentiate NMS-related symptoms from those of other conditions. Although specific PPV and NPV values for NMS-related assessments are not well-documented, the AIMS test remains a valuable tool in post-recovery evaluations.

Movement disorders

The AIMS test helps identify dystonic movements, particularly in cases where symptoms overlap with other involuntary movement disorders. Although not specific to dystonia, the AIMS test documents the frequency and severity of abnormal movements, offering critical insights for diagnosis and treatment planning. With an NPV of approximately 85% in ruling out dystonia, it supports clinicians in making differential diagnoses. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) test is a widely recognized and invaluable tool for assessing and monitoring involuntary movement disorders. It plays a crucial role in diagnosing conditions such as tardive dyskinesia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological movement disorders.

Table 1. Resident responses when surveyed on reasons for AIMS non-compliance.

• It also provides residents with an opportunity to learn about designing and implementing Lean Six Sigma principles and quality improvement in training.
• Unfortunately, there is no cure for Huntington’s nor can any treatment prevent the eventual physical, mental and behavioral decline in patients.
• Although specific PPV and NPV values for NMS-related assessments are not well-documented, the AIMS test remains a valuable tool in post-recovery evaluations.
• A one-hour educational intervention increased the rates of screening from 3% to 87%.

The AIMS test is quick and non-invasive, typically taking about 10–15 minutes to complete. It can easily be incorporated into a routine office visit, making it a convenient option for both patients and providers. While its primary purpose is to evaluate movement disorders, the AIMS test also plays a key role in monitoring treatment effectiveness and identifying potential side effects of medications. “It will be hard for them to parse out correct information if they’re simply searching online.” It can be difficult to distinguish between different neurological movement disorders.

The AIMS Assessment and Tardive Dyskinesia

Below, we explore the application of the AIMS test across various conditions, its diagnostic accuracy, and its significance in clinical practice. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is an essential tool in healthcare, helping providers detect and manage involuntary movement disorders. One of its primary uses is screening for tardive dyskinesia, a potentially debilitating condition that can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Early detection through the AIMS test allows for timely intervention, which can prevent symptom progression and improve overall outcomes.

Similar to Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes the eventual death of nerve cells in the brain. This can result in movement, cognitive and psychiatric diseases over time, having a significant impact on the patient’s ability to function. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but medication or surgery can drastically improve the quality of life for patients. Other factors that may increase the risk of having a movement disorder include having certain medical conditions or taking certain medicines.

Address Movement Concerns

By evaluating the severity and frequency of involuntary movements, the AIMS test helps rule out conditions that mimic Parkinson’s. With a negative predictive value (NPV) of 88% in differentiating Parkinson’s from other movement disorders, it provides clinicians with greater diagnostic precision. The Tardive Dyskinesia Assessment Working Group suggests that the AIMS is a valid assessment tool for TD both for research and clinical practice but does not report data on improvement in screening rates. A 2019 study reported an increase in AIMS implementation from 0% to 80% in 12 weeks in an outpatient private practice when the scale was administered by a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student during each patient visit . However, the goal of the study was to identify TD and involved a single researcher administering AIMS to each patient to study improvement in patient outcomes and used the Plan-Do-Study-Act QI model. A 2021 QI study suggested an 85.1% increase in TD screening for high-risk patients.

Links to NCBI Databases

Many show themselves with similar symptoms or one condition can be a symptom of another. However, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences so you can learn about your specific condition and how best to find treatment. Unfortunately, many of these impairments are involuntary movements, which can have a greater impact on a patient’s ability to work, perform daily activities, and remain independent.

Next Steps After the AIMS Test

A resident-led QI project using the Lean Six Sigma model in the outpatient clinic showed a significant increase in rates of AIMS screening in patients receiving psychotropic medications. A one-hour educational intervention increased the rates of screening from 3% to 87%. This is an important intervention in https://chickenroadapp.net/en-in/ view of the nature of the side effects, its prevalence, and the recent approval of effective medications for treatment. The study also sets the stage for future interventions designed by residents to improve the quality of patient care as well as provider education. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairments. Patients with schizophrenia often require long-term antipsychotic treatment, which can lead to movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia (TD).

He specializes in movement disorders, clinical neurophysiology and electrodiagnostic medicine. A dedicated Parkinson’s disease support group is also offered for free to patients and their families. Our neuro intensive care unit is equipped with continuous EEG and video monitoring for adults and children and is staffed by certified technologists and trained neurology nurses. Some research suggests that RLS may be caused by an imbalance of dopamine in the brain. In general, there are different symptoms for movement, cognitive and psychiatric diseases caused by the disease.

In the current EHR, it is difficult to find and compare previous AIMS scores to facilitate clinical intervention (Figure 2). Further, providers may not know how to use the tool or even be aware that the tool exists. One potential explanation is the switch to a new EHR that does not include automated alerts to physicians to conduct and document an AIMS result.