Kava fact of the day: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)
This one’s short, but hopefully will help in understanding some of the kava research in relation to anxiety. In regards to kava and anxiety, a proper way to measure a participants anxiety levels was needed. Many kava studies employed the use of a scale known as HAM-A or the “Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale”. This scale consists of 14 items and each is defined by a series of symptoms. It measures both psychic anxiety or mental agitation and psychological stress, and somatic anxiety, or physical complaints related to anxiety. This test requires 10-15 minutes to complete and is acceptable for adults, adolescents and children. Each item is scored from a 0-4 range, and counted. Total range of the results are from 0-56. Less than 17 indicates mild severity, 18-24 indicates mild to moderate severity, and 25-30 indicate moderate to severe. These tests are used in kava research to assess the severity of symptoms of anxiety.
Hamilton, M. (1959). The assessment of anxiety states by rating. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 32(1), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8341.1959.tb00467.x
This one’s short, but hopefully will help in understanding some of the kava research in relation to anxiety. In regards to kava and anxiety, a proper way to measure a participants anxiety levels was needed. Many kava studies employed the use of a scale known as HAM-A or the “Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale”. This scale consists of 14 items and each is defined by a series of symptoms. It measures both psychic anxiety or mental agitation and psychological stress, and somatic anxiety, or physical complaints related to anxiety. This test requires 10-15 minutes to complete and is acceptable for adults, adolescents and children. Each item is scored from a 0-4 range, and counted. Total range of the results are from 0-56. Less than 17 indicates mild severity, 18-24 indicates mild to moderate severity, and 25-30 indicate moderate to severe. These tests are used in kava research to assess the severity of symptoms of anxiety.
Hamilton, M. (1959). The assessment of anxiety states by rating. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 32(1), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8341.1959.tb00467.x
