Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder caused by prolonged use of dopamine receptor-blocking medications, significantly affecting physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) has traditionally been the gold standard for evaluating TD in clinical trials; however, it does not capture the full scope of patient experiences, including the impact on daily life. The Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS) was developed to address this gap, providing a patient-reported outcome that evaluates both the physical and socioemotional impacts of TD. Through qualitative studies and phase 3 trials (KINECT3 and KINECT4), the TDIS was shown to capture key aspects of TD from the patient perspective, and it was found to be both relevant and easy to use in clinical settings.

Unlike the AIMS, which focuses on the severity of TD symptoms, the TDIS offers a more comprehensive assessment of how TD affects patient lives. The combination of the TDIS and AIMS provides a holistic approach to assessing TD, allowing clinicians to better understand both the physical manifestations and the broader impacts of TD on the well-being of patients.

Reference: Farber RH, Stull DE, Witherspoon B, et al. The Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS), a novel patient-reported outcome measure in tardive dyskinesia: development and psychometric validation. J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2024;8(1):2. Published 2024 Jan 4. doi:10.1186/s41687-023-00679-4.