Instrument template · Parkinson's diseaseUpdated September 28, 2026

MDS-UPDRS eCRF template for Parkinson's trials

Four parts, from non-motor experiences reported by the participant to a rater-led motor examination, each item rated 0 to 4. Record the medication state and timing with every Part III, because the same person scores very differently ON and OFF.

  • Parts I to IV
  • ON/OFF state recorded
  • Licence tracked on the form

Free sandbox · No credit card · 21 CFR Part 11 aligned

MDS-UPDRS Part III · Week 12
Subject 007-0014 · Certified raterDraft

Examination conditions

Medication state

MEDSTATE
OFFON

Time since last levodopa dose

LDTIME
12.5h

Motor examination

3.4 Finger tapping, right hand

NP3FTAPR
01234
State and timing kept with every Part III

At a glance

  • The MDS-UPDRS (2008) is the Movement Disorder Society revision of the original Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. It is copyrighted by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, and use requires permission.
  • Part I: non-motor experiences of daily living (13 items, part rater-administered, part patient questionnaire). Part II: motor experiences of daily living (13 items, patient questionnaire).
  • Part III: motor examination by a trained rater (18 items, 33 scores across body sides and regions). Part IV: motor complications such as dyskinesia and fluctuations (6 items).
  • Every item is rated 0 (normal) to 4 (severe). Part totals are usually analysed separately.
  • Hoehn and Yahr stage is recorded with Part III, along with medication state and dyskinesia presence.

In trials

Which part is the endpoint?

Different Parkinson's trials use different parts. Symptomatic treatment trials often use Part III in a defined medication state, or Parts II and III combined. Disease-modification trials in early Parkinson's often use the sum of Parts I, II and III, because it reflects progression across non-motor and motor domains. Trials of treatments for fluctuations and dyskinesia add Part IV and a home diary of ON and OFF time.

Parts IB and II are completed by the participant (with caregiver help if needed), which makes them suitable for completion on a tablet in the clinic or at home before the visit. Parts IA, III and IV require a rater.

Medication state

For a practically defined OFF state, participants typically withhold their Parkinson's medication overnight (often about 12 hours) before the examination. Record the state, the time of the last dose and the time of the examination on the form, because a Part III score without them cannot be interpreted.

MDS-UPDRS schedule · Early PD trial
AssessmentScrBLM3M6M9M12
Part IA and III (rater)
Part IB and II (participant)
Part IV
Hoehn and Yahr
MoCA

Structure

MDS-UPDRS parts

PartContentCompleted byItems
IAComplex non-motor behaviours: cognition, hallucinations, mood, anxiety, apathy, dopamine dysregulationRater6
IBOther non-motor experiences: sleep, pain, urinary, constipation, fatigue and othersParticipant7
IIMotor experiences of daily living: speech, eating, dressing, walking and othersParticipant13
IIIMotor examination: speech, rigidity, tapping, gait, tremor and othersRater18 (33 scores)
IVMotor complications: dyskinesia and motor fluctuationsRater6

Use the official MDS-UPDRS wording and translations under permission from the Movement Disorder Society. Rater training and certification are available through the Society.

In Capture

Rater and participant sections in one visit

Participant sections can be completed on a clinic device or at home before the visit; rater sections are site forms completed by the certified rater. Each item is a coded 0 to 4 value, the form records licence details, medication state and timing, and every change is in the field-level audit trail.

  • Participant and rater forms in the same visit.
  • Medication state and timing fields.
  • Licence details on the form.
EDC for Parkinson's disease trials
PRO

Patient-reported

Participant, own phone

ObsRO

Observer-reported

Caregiver

ClinRO

Clinician-reported

Site staff, clinic tablet

PerfO

Performance outcome

Site-run test, e.g. chair rise

Build an MDS-UPDRS visit

Set up participant and rater sections in the free sandbox.

Use the MDS-UPDRS template free

Rater quality

Training, consistency and video

Part III is a physical examination with defined instructions for each item, and small differences in how raters conduct or score it add noise. Most sponsors require raters to complete the Society's training and certification, keep the same rater for a participant where possible, and schedule the examination at the same time of day relative to medication.

Some trials video-record the motor examination for central review or rater calibration. If you do, include it in the consent, store recordings securely as identifiable data, and link each recording to the visit and rater in the study database.

Before go-live

MDS-UPDRS setup checklist

Permission obtained

From the Movement Disorder Society; details on the form.

Endpoint parts defined

Part III, II + III or I + II + III, and the medication state.

OFF-state procedure

Withholding period and timing fields.

Rater certification

Before rating participants.

Participant sections

Tablet or home completion before the visit.

Hoehn and Yahr

Recorded with each Part III.

FAQ

Questions about this template

Something not covered here? Ask us directly.

What is the MDS-UPDRS?

The Movement Disorder Society revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, with four parts covering non-motor and motor experiences, a motor examination and motor complications.

How is the MDS-UPDRS scored?

Each item is rated 0 to 4, and part totals are summed. Parts are usually analysed separately or in pre-specified combinations.

What is Part III?

The motor examination, performed by a trained rater, with 18 items giving 33 scores.

Why record ON and OFF state?

Motor scores differ greatly depending on medication. Without the state and timing, a Part III score cannot be interpreted.

Is the MDS-UPDRS free?

It is copyrighted by the Movement Disorder Society, and use requires permission. Terms depend on the type of use.

Does Capture calculate part totals?

Items are stored as coded values, and totals are derived in analysis.

Parkinson's ratings with the context they need

Rater and participant sections, state and timing recorded. Free sandbox.

Use the MDS-UPDRS template free