← All public profiles

DMSS: Delirium Motor Subtype Scale

2008

Data-derived scale classifying delirium motor subtype (hyperactive, hypoactive, mixed, none) from observed psychomotor features.

At a glance

Purpose
Motor symptoms assessment
Population
Adult
Setting
General / acute hospital, Palliative care
Time
brief observation-based classification; exact timing not reported in the abstract
Items
11

Format: An 11-feature motor-subtyping scale derived from observed psychomotor signs: four hyperactive and seven hypoactive features. The development study used a two-feature threshold to assign hyperactive, hypoactive, mixed or no-subtype classifications.

  • Strengths: Focused motor-subtype classification derived from observed data
  • Limitations: Classifies motor phenotype after delirium assessment; it does not detect delirium

Primary validation papers

0 identified diagnostic-accuracy papers

Other forms of validation are described in the evidence section. What is counted?

Large-scale clinical implementation

Not yet reviewed.

A focused implementation review has not yet been completed for this profile.

Training and instructions

Public training resources have not yet been confirmed in this review. Check the linked developer or original source for instructions.

Start here

Tool and original sources

No direct copy is linked here. The original paper and a Google Images search are available below. Image results may be unofficial; check the version and source before use.

Search Google Images ↗ NIDUS information cards ↗

Original paper

  • Principal sourceMeagher D, Moran M, Raju B, Leonard M, Donnelly S, Saunders J, et al. A new data-based motor subtype schema for delirium. The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences. 2008;20(2):185-93. doi: 10.1176/jnp.2008.20.2.185. PMID: 18451189.

    This is the principal published source for DMSS. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.

    Open PubMed ↗
No eligible DTA study identifiedCore instrument family
Classification

Classification

Motor symptoms assessment

A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceNo eligible DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

;
Sensitivity
;
Specificity

Principal-components analysis identified hyperactive and hypoactive factors that correlated with independently rated motor agitation and retardation; the derived criteria were also compared with non-delirious controls.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Delirium Motor Subtype Scale
Also known as
DMSS
Related profiles
DMC, DMSS-4
Evidence summary
development-validation
Reliability
Data-derived factor structure compared with independent motor ratings and non-delirious controls
Citation
Meagher D, Moran M, Raju B, Leonard M, Donnelly S, Saunders J, Trzepacz P A new data-based motor subtype schema for delirium The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences. 2008;20(2):185-93. PMID 18451189
Download RIS ↗ Download BibTeX ↗

Primary validation studies

Distinct primary publications from the current diagnostic-accuracy audit. Reviews and repeated evaluations within one paper are not counted again. Overlapping cohorts have not all been reconciled. Read the counting rules and limitations.

No eligible diagnostic-accuracy paper is currently included in this audit. This does not mean the tool has never been validated. The source paper and other evidence on this profile may concern severity, reliability or another measurement purpose.

Copyright and reuse
Information checked
2026-07-19

Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.

Base clinical review: 2026-07-29. Instrument description source check: 2026-09-05. Scope and limitations.