Non motor symptoms questionnaire (NMSQ)

This questionnaire can be given to people with Parkinson's in order to aid health and social care professionals to assess their non motor symptoms.

Last reviewed
Topic
  • Service improvement
  • Symptoms
  • Treatments and medication
Resource type
  • Tools
Profession
  • Doctor (Geriatrician)
  • Doctor (GP)
  • Doctor (Neurologist)
  • Nurse (other)
  • Nurse (Parkinson's nurse)
  • Social care assessor
Stage
  • Complex
  • End of life
  • Maintenance

There are over 30 non motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's including depression, pain and genitourinary problems, some of which may even be present before Parkinson's is diagnosed.

The NMSQ can highlight non motor issues that may not be obviously linked to Parkinson's by the person experiencing them, and help open up communication between clinician and patient in order to consider appropriate treatment (Chaudhuri K. R. et al, 2006).

The NMSQ is now owned by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) and therefore the Parkinson's UK branding has been removed. The content of the questionnaire has not changed.

The MDS requires a ratings scales permissions request form to be completed and submitted, with fees where applicable, before working with their ratings scales. There is usually no fee for clinical use. Go to the ratings scales permissions request form.

There is a fillable version of the NMSQ for patients to use for self-rating purposes in the Information and Support section of the Parkinson's UK website. View the fillable version of the NMSQ.

The NMSQ document, further details, and a list of the authors can be found on the MDS website. Parkinson's UK has developed a short set of guidelines to support you in using the NMSQ.