MADRS: Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale
10-item clinician-administered depression severity scale. Score 0–60 across four bands. Remission criterion ≤10. Primary outcome measure in antidepressant clinical trials. Montgomery & Åsberg (1979).
MADRS Score Interpreter
Clinically significant depressive symptoms.
10 clinician-rated items, each 0–6. Higher totals indicate more severe depression. Remission is commonly defined as a total ≤10.
| Total score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 35+ | Severe depressionMarked symptom burden; warrants active treatment. |
| 20–34 | Moderate depressionClinically significant depressive symptoms. |
| 7–19 | Mild depressionLow-level symptoms; monitor and reassess. |
| 0–6 | Normal / symptom absentWithin the non-depressed range; ≤10 is the common remission criterion. |
Montgomery & Åsberg (1979). Severity bands per widely used clinical convention (e.g. Snaith 1986). Educational reference only — clinician-administered, not a self-screen.
The MADRS is a 10-item clinician-administered scale measuring depression severity across cognitive, vegetative, and affective symptoms. Scores 0–60. The validated primary outcome measure in antidepressant clinical trials, valued for its sensitivity to change.
What is the MADRS?
The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was developed by Stuart Montgomery and Marie Åsberg in 1979 specifically to detect and measure changes in depression severity during antidepressant treatment. Unlike the HAM-D, which was designed to characterize depression, the MADRS was built to be maximally sensitive to the effects of treatment, making it the preferred outcome measure in most pharmaceutical trials.
The MADRS contains 10 items, each rated on a 7-point scale (0–6), where 0 and 6 are the anchor points and 2, 4 represent intermediate grades. The items assess both observable and subjective aspects of depression, with a deliberate emphasis on psychological symptoms over somatic symptoms – reducing the confounding effects of physical illness that can artificially elevate HAM-D scores.
The MADRS is a clinician-administered scale. It is not designed for self-report and requires a trained assessor. Total scores range from 0 to 60; ≤10 is the widely adopted remission criterion in antidepressant trials. The scale is in the public domain and free for clinical and research use.
MADRS Score Interpreter
Enter a MADRS total score (0–60) to see the corresponding severity band and clinical meaning.
Clinician-rated scale. Requires trained assessor for valid scoring.
MADRS Severity Bands
Montgomery & Åsberg (1979). ≤10 is the remission criterion adopted by most antidepressant trials.
The 10 MADRS Items
Each item scored 0–6. Items reflect the core domains of clinical depression assessment.
MADRS vs HAM-D vs PHQ-9
Choosing the right depression scale depends on clinical setting, rater, and purpose.
Depression Outcomes Tracking in HiBoop
MADRS alongside PHQ-9 and HAM-D, clinician-administered and self-report measures working together for treatment monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MADRS?
The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10-item clinician-administered scale developed in 1979 to measure depression severity. It was specifically designed to detect changes in depressive symptoms during antidepressant treatment, making it more sensitive to treatment effects than earlier scales like the HAM-D.
How are MADRS scores interpreted?
MADRS scores range from 0 to 60. Scores of 0–6 indicate no depression or remission, 7–19 represent mild depression, 20–34 indicate moderate depression, and 35–60 reflect severe depression. A score of 10 or below is the most widely adopted remission criterion in antidepressant clinical trials.
What is the difference between the MADRS and the PHQ-9?
The MADRS is clinician-administered and requires a trained assessor to rate symptoms through a structured interview. The PHQ-9 is a patient self-report questionnaire completed without a clinician present. The MADRS places less emphasis on somatic symptoms and is the preferred outcome measure in antidepressant clinical trials, while the PHQ-9 is better suited for routine screening and primary care.
How is the MADRS administered?
A trained clinician conducts a semi-structured interview with the patient and rates each of the 10 items on a 7-point scale from 0 to 6, where 0 represents absence of the symptom and 6 represents the most severe level. Each item has defined anchor points at 0, 2, 4, and 6, with odd scores used for intermediate presentations. Administration typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
How often should the MADRS be administered?
In antidepressant clinical trials, the MADRS is typically administered at baseline and then weekly or bi-weekly throughout the treatment period to track response. In clinical practice, it is commonly used at the start of treatment and at follow-up visits, with frequency depending on clinical judgment and treatment phase.
Is the MADRS available for free clinical use?
Yes, the MADRS is in the public domain and free for clinical and research use. There are no licensing fees or permission requirements to administer it.
Does HiBoop support the MADRS?
Yes. HiBoop supports the MADRS alongside PHQ-9 and HAM-D for complete depression outcome tracking. Clinicians can administer and score the MADRS within HiBoop, with automated severity classification and longitudinal tracking across visits.
References
- 1.Montgomery SA, Åsberg M. A new depression scale designed to be sensitive to change. Br J Psychiatry. 1979;134:382-389.View source
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The MADRS: Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale qualifies for reimbursement under these CPT codes (US).
Last reviewed: Jun 2, 2026
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