Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale – CMSAS
Measures the frequency and distress associated with physical and psychological symptoms in patients.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale – CMSAS was developed by Chang, V. T., Hwang, S. S., Kasimis, B., & Thaler, H. T. (2004). It is designed to measure Symptom distress and frequency. The scale is intended for use with Clinical patients, particularly those undergoing cancer treatment or palliative care.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 14 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Physical Symptoms, Psychological Symptoms.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Symptoms | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11 | 10 |
| Psychological Symptoms | 12,13,14 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not present / No distress, 1 = A little bit / Rarely, 2 = Somewhat / Occasionally, 3 = Quite a bit / Frequently, 4 = Very much / Almost constantly.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 4. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Symptom Burden: 0 – 1
- Moderate Symptom Burden: 1 – 2
- High Symptom Burden: 2 – 4
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.