Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 – AIMS2
A multidimensional self-report instrument designed to measure the physical, social, and psychological health status of individuals with arthritis.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 – AIMS2 was developed by Robert F. Meenan (1992). It is designed to measure Arthritis-specific health status. The scale is intended for use with Adults with rheumatic diseases.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 56 items organized into 12 factors/subscales: Mobility Level, Walking and Bending, Hand and Finger Function, Arm Function, Self-Care Tasks, Household Tasks, Social Activity, Support from Family and Friends, Arthritis Pain, Work, Level of Tension, Mood.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility Level | 1,2,3,4,5 | 5 |
| Walking and Bending | 6,7,8,9,10 | 5 |
| Hand and Finger Function | 11,12,13,14,15 | 5 |
| Arm Function | 16,17,18,19,20 | 5 |
| Self-Care Tasks | 21,22,23,24 | 4 |
| Household Tasks | 25,26,27,28 | 4 |
| Social Activity | 29,30,31,32,33 | 5 |
| Support from Family and Friends | 34,35,36,37 | 4 |
| Arthritis Pain | 38,39,40,41,42 | 5 |
| Work | 43,44,45,46 | 4 |
| Level of Tension | 47,48,49,50,51 | 5 |
| Mood | 52,53,54,55,56 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = All days / Always, 2 = Most days / Very often, 3 = Some days / Sometimes, 4 = Few days / Almost never, 5 = No days / Never.
The scale includes 31 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 10. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Impact / Good Health Status: 0 – 3
- Moderate Impact / Fair Health Status: 4 – 7
- High Impact / Poor Health Status: 8 – 10
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha ranges from 0.72 to 0.91 across subscales.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.