AIMS Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scales

The Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale is a provided for patients taking anti-psychotic or other medications.  The AIMS is used to identify abnormal movements that result from certain medications.  The scale rates facial, oral, extremity, and trunk movements.  It can also be useful in assessing a patient’s response to medication used to reduce extra pyramidal side effects.

You can access the AIMS scale from the Medications section of all notes and treatment plans.  Click on the AIMS button  on top of the window.

How to complete the AIMS

Directions for rating the scale appear at the top of the form. There are 12 items, each presented when you move to the next input box for the rating. A key for rating the items is displayed above the entry fields.

Enter the date of the assessment and ratings of each item using the number key (0 to 4.)  Ratings range from 0-None to 4-Severe, or simply require a 1 = No or 2 = Yes response.  Once a rating is entered, the focus automatically changes to the next question.  You can also move from question to question using the TAB key.

Select Save to save the AIMS results to the database.  You can always view the completed scale again when you reopen the note or treatment plan.

Select Print to print a report listing of AIMS ratings and questions.

AIMS Ratings and Graph

You can review and graph the results of the AIMS.  To access the ratings and graph, select the type of graph from the Patients menu, go to History, and select AIMS Results.

Click on Graph at the top of the AIMS Results window to generate the graph. 

Click on Vitals to view the ratings.

Click on Print to print the Vitals or Graph results