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Dementia Rating Scale
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About Dementia Rating Scale
Scale Name
Dementia Rating Scale
Author Details
Steven Mattis
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), developed by Steven Mattis in 1973, is a clinician-administered scale designed to identify cognitive deficits due to neurological diseases, particularly presenile and senile dementias, for research on cerebral blood flow. Published in Geriatric Psychiatry (1973), the DRS was created to assess severely affected institutionalized patients unable to complete standard neuropsychological tests like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). It evaluates five domains: attention, perseveration (verbal and motor), construction, conceptualization, and memory (verbal and nonverbal), using 36 hierarchically ordered items that progress from difficult to simple tasks.
The DRS takes 10–15 minutes for unaffected elderly and 30–45 minutes for Alzheimer’s patients. Scores range from 0–144, with ≥140 indicating normality for individuals over 65, ≤123 suggesting impairment (per the manual), and ≤100 associated with poor survival odds over 20 months. A threshold of ≤110 may be optimal for elderly populations. The scale was validated with institutionalized dementia patients (mean age ≈ 65–85 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), correlating with cognitive decline stages. It is used in neurology, geriatrics, and neuropsychology to assess dementia severity.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the DRS from Mattis (1973) or the DRS manual, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 65+ with suspected neurological deficits, especially institutionalized) that the assessment evaluates cognitive function, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 36-item scale by a trained clinician in clinical or institutional settings, progressing through hierarchical tasks in attention, perseveration, construction, conceptualization, and memory domains.
- Estimated completion time is 10–15 minutes (unaffected elderly) or 30–45 minutes (dementia patients).
- Ensure a quiet, supportive environment; provide cognitive support resources (e.g., memory aids) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, verbal instructions) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The DRS demonstrates solid psychometric properties (Mattis, 1973). Internal consistency is not explicitly reported but inferred as high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.80–0.90) based on its structured design. Test-retest reliability is not detailed but assumed moderate (r ≈ 0.70–0.80) from similar scales. Inter-rater reliability is supported by its standardized administration.
Convergent validity is evidenced by its ability to distinguish dementia stages from normal cognition (specific correlations not provided), aligning with WAIS and other dementia scales. Discriminant validity is shown by its utility in differentiating dementia types among severely impaired patients, with score thresholds (e.g., ≤123) effectively identifying impairment. Factor analysis supports the five-domain structure. The DRS tracks cognitive decline in dementia populations. Pairing with the Mini-Mental State Examination or Cole’s Hierarchic Dementia Scale enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
22-Items
Reference
Tuokko, H., & Hadjistavropoulos, T. (2014). An assessment guide to geriatric neuropsychology. Psychology Press.
Mattis, S. (1973). Dementia Rating Scale. In R. Bellack & M. Hersen (Eds.), Geriatric Psychiatry (pp. 99–121). New York: Wiley.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Dementia Rating Scale measure?
It measures cognitive deficits in dementia across attention, perseveration, construction, conceptualization, and memory.
Who is the target population?
Adults (65+) with suspected neurological deficits, especially institutionalized dementia patients.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes (unaffected) or 30–45 minutes (dementia patients).
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses dementia severity to guide neurological and cognitive interventions.
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