Reliability and diagnostic characteristics of the JFK coma recovery scale-revised: exploring the influence of rater's level of experience.
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the reliability and diagnostic validity of the JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) across raters with varying levels of experience.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with disorders of consciousness were recruited from 6 Norwegian hospitals.


METHODS
CRS-R and the Disability Rating Scale.


RESULTS
Reliability measures were good for the CRS-R total scores and moderate to good for its subscales. Diagnostic agreement among examiners was good. Raters' experience with the CRS-R favorably influenced reliability. Sensitivity and specificity analyses demonstrated better detection of patients in minimally conscious state on the CRS-R relative to the Disability Rating Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
The CRS-R is a reliable tool for diagnosing vegetative state and minimally conscious state. Raters' level of experience influences the reliability of the CRS-R scores.
Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen, Norway. Marianne.lovstad@sunnaas.no
Marianne
M
Løvstad
Kathrine F
KF
Frøslie
Joseph T
JT
Giacino
Toril
T
Skandsen
Audny
A
Anke
Anne-Kristine
AK
Schanke
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015588:Observer Variation; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult