Reliability of a new scale for essential tremor

Mov Disord. 2012 Oct;27(12):1567-9. doi: 10.1002/mds.25162. Epub 2012 Oct 2.

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of a new scale for the clinical assessment of essential tremor. The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale contains 9 performance items that rate action tremor in the head, face, voice, limbs, and trunk from 0 to 4 in half-point intervals. Head and limb tremor ratings are defined by specific amplitude ranges in centimeters.

Methods: Videos of 44 patients and 6 controls were rated by 10 specialists on 2 occasions 1-2 months apart. Inter- and intrarater reliability was assessed with a 2-way random-effects intraclass correlation, using an absolute agreement definition.

Results: Inter- and intrarater intraclass correlations for head and upper-limb tremor ranged from 0.86 to 0.96, and intraclass correlations for total score were 0.94 and 0.96. The intraclass correlations for voice, face, trunk, and leg were less robust.

Conclusions: This scale is an exceptionally reliable tool for the clinical assessment of essential tremor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Essential Tremor / diagnosis*
  • Extremities / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Video Recording