MDS-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)
The standard rating scale for Parkinson’s disease, covering motor and non-motor domains across four parts.
By Claire White
- Four parts; parts I and II are self-reported, part III is clinician-administered, part IV is clinician-assisted.
- Total score 0 to 272 (0 = no impairment).
- Requires MDS rater training and licensing for clinical use.
The four parts
Each part can be taken on its own. Open a part to see what it measures and to start it.
MDS-UPDRS Part I – Non-Motor Experiences of Daily Living
Self-reported. Score 0 to 52.
MDS-UPDRS Part II – Motor Experiences of Daily Living
Self-reported. Score 0 to 52.
MDS-UPDRS Part III – Motor Examination
Clinician-administered. Score 0 to 132.
MDS-UPDRS Part IV – Motor Complications
Clinician-assisted. Score 0 to 24.
What it measures
The MDS-UPDRS has four parts. Part I (non-motor experiences of daily living, 0 to 52) and Part II (motor experiences of daily living, 0 to 52) are completed by the patient. Part III (motor examination, 0 to 132) is administered by a clinician and covers tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, gait, and postural instability. Part IV (motor complications, 0 to 24) rates dyskinesias and fluctuations.
What the result tells you
Lower total scores indicate less impairment. The scale tracks disease progression and treatment response in clinical practice and trials. MDS-UPDRS Part III is the most frequently used standalone measure in motor outcome studies. Each part can also be used independently.
Used for
Evidence, psychometrics and provenance
Psychometrics
Part III reliability on a 0 to 1 scale. Higher is better.
References
This assessment uses a validated instrument and is reference information, not a diagnosis. The MDS-UPDRS is © 2008 the Movement Disorder Society and is used under licence.