Validation and Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (DMSS)

David Garcia Nuñez, Soenke Boettger, Rafael Meyer, André Richter, Maria Schubert, David Meagher, Josef Jenewein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Delirium has been characterized into its subtypes—hypoactive, hyperactive, mixed, or no motor subtype—along with the use of the Delirium Motor Symptom Scale (DMSS). The German version of this scale (DMSS-G), however, has not yet been validated. Method: We determined internal consistency, reliability, and validity of the DMSS-G in the surgical intensive care unit, using DSM-IV-TR criteria and the Delirium Rating Scale–Revised–98. Results: In total, 289 patients were included, and out of these, 122 were delirious. The DMSS-G showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) and interrater reliability (Fleiss κ = 0.83). Additionally, the overall concurrent validity was substantial (Cramer’s V = 0.69); within subtypes, hyperactive, hypoactive, or mixed, the concurrent validity remained at least substantial (Cohen’s κ = 0.73-0.82) and the sensitivity ranged from 60% to 97%. In contrast, in those with no motor subtype, we found the concurrent validity (Cohen’s κ = 0.31) and sensitivity to be low (22%). Overall, specificity for all individual subtypes was high (82% to 100%). The DMSS was very sensitive in both rating hyperactive and hypoactive motor symptoms of delirium. Conclusion: The DMSS-G is a highly reliable and valid instrument for detecting motor symptoms in delirium, which provides an accurate instrument to classify the motor subtypes of delirium.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1573-1581
Number of pages9
JournalAssessment
Volume26
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2019

Keywords

  • delirium
  • German version
  • ICU
  • intensive care unit
  • motor subtypes
  • validation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Validation and Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (DMSS)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this