NOSIE-30: A Treatment-Sensitive Ward Behavior Scale

TLDR

The NOSIE‑30 is a highly sensitive ward behavior rating scale. The scale was derived by selecting the best 30 items from an initial 100, factor‑analyzing pre‑ and post‑treatment responses in 630 chronic schizophrenia patients, and cross‑validating the six factor scores and a composite score in an independent double‑blind drug study. The NOSIE‑30 yields six factor scores—Social Competence, Social Interest, Personal Neatness, Irritability, Manifest Psychosis, and Retardation—and offers an economical, accurate tool for subprofessional staff to assess patient status and change.

Abstract

The NOSIE-30 is a highly sensitive ward behavior rating scale. Final item selection includes the best 30 of an original pool of 100 items, tested on a sample of 630 chronic schizophrenic patients. Both status (pre-treatment) and change (post minus pre-treatment) item responses were factor analyzed. Six factor scores are obtained: Social Competence, Social Interest, Personal Neatness, Irritability, Manifest Psychosis, and Retardation. Cross-validation of these six factor scores and a composite score, Total Patient Assets, was obtained in an independent, double-blind drug study conducted by the NIMH-Psychopharmacology Service Center. The NOSIE-30, especially designed for use by subprofessional personnel, provides an economical and accurate means of systematically assessing patient status and change.