Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS)

The Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS or BARS) is a rating scale that is administered by healthcare providers like physicians, and nurse practitioners to assess the severity of drug-induced akathisia (It follows diagnostic criteria for pseudo-akathisia, and mild, moderate, and severe akathisia). It was created over 30 years ago and is one of the most widely used rating scales for akathisia in research and clinical practice due to its simplicity, and because it's validity and reliability have been established worldwide. The inter-rater reliability for the scale is high. It is comprised of questions for rating the observable, restless movements which characterize the condition, the subjective awareness of restlessness, and any distress associated with the akathisia from the patient's experience.