This established scale was developed as a method of rating the effects of traumatic brain injury to determine how long recovery might take. The DRS provides insight into the patient's cognitive impairment by tracking progress over time. Key aspects of disability are assessed, including the impairment and handicap of an individual. Eye opening, communication ability, and motor response are among the capabilities measured. Data that reflect these aspects of function can predict the patient's length of stay in rehabilitation and the ability to return to employment. A primary advantage of the DRS is its ability to track patient progress. Its ease in assessing a patient’s progress makes the scale a valuable clinical tool. Scaling a person's general behavioral disability is another benefit of the DRS.
Disability Rating Scale
Category |
Item |
Instructions |
Score |
Arousability, Awareness, and Responsivity | Eye Opening |
0 = spontaneous 1 = to speech 2 = to pain 3 = none |
|
Communication Ability |
0 = oriented 1 = confused 2 = inappropriate 3 = incomprehensible |
||
Motor Response |
0 = obeying 1 = localizing 2 = withdrawing 3 = flexing 4 = extending 5 = none |
||
Cognitive Ability for Self-Care Activities | Feeding |
0 = complete 1 = partial 2 = minimal 3 = none |
|
Toileting |
0 = complete 1 = partial 2 = minimal 3 = none |
||
Grooming |
0 = complete 1 = partial 2 = minimal 3 = none |
||
Dependence on Others | Level of Functioning |
0 = completely independent 1 = independent in special environment 2 = mildly dependent 3 = moderately dependent 4 = markedly dependent 5 = totally dependent |
|
Psychosocial Adaptability | Employability |
0 = not restricted 1 = selected jobs 2 = sheltered workshop (noncompetitive) 3 = not employable |
|
Total DR Score |
Disability Categories
Total DR Score |
Level of Disability |
0 |
None |
1 |
Mild |
2-3 |
Partial |
4-6 |
Moderate |
7-11 |
Moderately Severe |
12-16 |
Severe |
17-21 |
Extremely Severe |
22-24 |
Vegetative State |
25-29 |
Extreme Vegetative State |
Scoring Instructions
Rappaport et al (1982). Disability rating scale for severe head trauma patients: coma to community. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 63: 118-123.
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