PANSS
Also written as: PANSS — Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
A standardized rating scale used to measure symptom severity in schizophrenia across positive, negative, and general psychopathology domains.
Full Definition
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is a widely used clinical assessment tool designed to evaluate the severity of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Developed by Kay, Fiszbein, and Opler, the scale consists of 30 items divided into three subscales: positive symptoms (7 items), negative symptoms (7 items), and general psychopathology (16 items). Each item is rated on a 7-point scale ranging from absent to extreme. The PANSS is considered the gold standard for measuring treatment response in clinical trials of antipsychotic medications and is commonly used in research settings. Administration requires trained clinicians and typically takes 30-40 minutes to complete. The scale provides both subscale scores and a total score, allowing for comprehensive assessment of symptom domains.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out the full name on first use, followed by the acronym in parentheses.
In Context
- "PANSS scores were obtained at baseline and every two weeks throughout the clinical trial." — Research protocol
- "The patient's PANSS negative symptom subscale score improved significantly after six months of treatment." — Treatment outcome report