Cognition and Other Predictors of Functional Disability Among Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Limitations in everyday functioning are frequently reported by veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple factors are associated with functional disability among veterans, including depression, poor social support, cognition, and substance use. However, the degree to which these factors, particularly cognitive capacities, contribute to functional limitations remains unclear. METHODS: We evaluated performance on tests of processing speed, executive functioning, attention, and memory as predictors of functioning on the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS) 2.0 in 288 veterans. Participants were placed in one of the following groups: PTSD-only, mTBI-only, mTBI + PTSD, and neither PTSD nor mTBI (deployed control group). Cognitive test performances were evaluated as predictors of WHODAS 2.0 functional ratings in regression models that included demographic variables and a range of mood, behavioral health, and postconcussive symptom ratings. RESULTS: Multiple cognitive test performances predicted WHODAS 2.0 scores in the deployed control group, but they generally did not predict functioning in the clinical groups when accounting for demographics, mood, behavioral health, and postconcussive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In veterans with mTBI and/or PTSD, cognitive test performances are less associated with everyday functioning than mood and postconcussive symptoms.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Veteran Affairs' Traumatic Brain Injury Screen.

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively estimate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Clinical Reminder Screen (TCRS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, prospective, observational study using the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy criteria. SETTING: Three VA Polytrauma Network Sites. PARTICIPANTS: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom veterans (N=433). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: TCRS, Comprehensive TBI Evaluation, Structured TBI Diagnostic Interview, Symptom Attribution and Classification Algorithm, and Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of veterans screened positive on the TCRS for TBI. For detecting occurrence of historical TBI, the TCRS had a sensitivity of .56 to .74, a specificity of .63 to .93, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 25% to 45%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 91% to 94%, and a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 4 to 13. For accuracy of attributing active symptoms to the TBI, the TCRS had a sensitivity of .64 to .87, a specificity of .59 to .89, a PPV of 26% to 32%, an NPV of 92% to 95%, and a DOR of 6 to 9. The sensitivity was higher for veterans with PTSD (.80-.86) relative to veterans without PTSD (.57-.82). The specificity, however, was higher among veterans without PTSD (.75-.81) relative to veterans with PTSD (.36-.49). All indices of diagnostic accuracy changed when participants with questionably valid (QV) test profiles were eliminated from analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The utility of the TCRS to screen for mild TBI (mTBI) depends on the stringency of the diagnostic reference standard to which it is being compared, the presence/absence of PTSD, and QV test profiles. Further development, validation, and use of reproducible diagnostic algorithms for symptom attribution after possible mTBI would improve diagnostic accuracy.

Evaluating the performance of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in early stage Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Mild cognitive impairment is common in Parkinson's disease, even in the early stages, and can be a risk for developing dementia. To properly track development and progression of cognitive impairment, reliable measurement tools are necessary. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is currently used as a global cognitive screening tool and has been recommended as an abbreviated diagnostic tool to measure mild cognitive impairment in the context of global cognitive function. However psychometric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in PD have not been assessed in this context. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (n = 395). We examine psychometric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment among newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease patients using Rasch analysis. RESULTS: Only one item misfit the measurement model and principle component analysis indicated the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was unidimensional. Distribution of items calibrations formed a logical hierarchy from least to most challenging. Test items were markedly off-target (i.e., too easy) for this sample; this was also reflected in low person separation reliability. While 37% of participants performed all items correctly indicating a large ceiling effect, 22% of participants obtained a raw score in the range of 21-25 indicating mild cognitive impairment. No meaningful differential item functioning was detected. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that in the context of early stage Parkinson's disease, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a unidimensional measure of global cognitive function. Implications for the use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in early stage Parkinson's disease and potential improvements to the assessment are discussed.

Perceived health, caregiver burden, and quality of life in women partners providing care to Veterans with traumatic brain injury.

Families of Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often faced with providing long-term informal care to their loved one. However, little is known about how their perceived health and caregiving burden contribute to their quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe perceived health, somatic symptoms, caregiver burden, and perceived QOL and to identify the extent to which these variables are associated with QOL in female partners/spouses of Veterans with TBI. Participants completed a written questionnaire including the Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Caregiver Reaction Assessment, Quality of Life Index, and the general health subscale of the 12-Item Short Form Survey version 2. Caregivers reported moderate levels of QOL, and over a quarter of the sample reported high levels of somatic symptoms, particularly fatigue and sleep disturbance. Age, perceived general health, somatic symptoms, the five subscales of caregiver burden (self-esteem, disrupted schedule, effect on finances, lack of family support, and effect on health) predicted QOL and explained 64% of its variance (adjusted r2 = 0.64, F(8,31) = 9.59). However, only somatic symptoms and the caregiver burden subscales of self-esteem and effect on finances were significant predictors in the model. These findings have implications for development of family-centered interventions to enhance the QOL of informal caregivers of Veterans with TBI.

Algorithm for Symptom Attribution and Classification Following Possible Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To present a heuristic model of a symptom attribution and classification algorithm (SACA) for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). SETTING: VA Polytrauma sites. PARTICIPANTS: 422 Veterans. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. MAIN MEASURES: SACA, Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE), Structured TBI Diagnostic Interview, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2-RF), Letter Memory Test, Validity-10. RESULTS: SACA and CTBIE diagnoses differ significantly (P < .01). The CTBIE, compared with SACA, attributes 16% to 500% more symptoms to mTBI, behavioral health (BH), mTBI + BH and symptom resolution. Altering SACA criteria indicate that (1) CTBIE determination of cognitive impairment yields 27% to 110% more mTBI, mTBI + BH and symptom resolution diagnoses, (2) ignoring timing of symptom onset yields 32% to 76% more mTBI, mTBI + BH and Other Condition diagnoses, (3) Proportion of sample having questionably valid profiles using structured TBI diagnostic interview and MMPI-2-RF and Letter Memory Test is 26% whereas with CTBIE item number 23 and Validity-10 is 6% to 26%, (4) MMPI-2-RF F-scale is the only measure identifying Veterans with posttraumatic amnesia for more than 24 hours as having questionably valid profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom attribution-based diagnoses differ when using status quo versus the SACA. The MMPI-2-RF F-scale, compared with the Validity-10 and Letter Memory Test, may be more precise in identifying questionably valid profiles for mTBI + BH. The SACA provides a framework to inform clinical practice, resource allocation, and future research.

Responsiveness, Minimal Detectable Change, and Minimally Clinically Important Differences for the Disorders of Consciousness Scale.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the responsiveness, minimal detectable change (MDC95), and minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of the Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS-25) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to report the percentages of patients' change scores exceeding MDC and MCID after 3 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. SETTING: Post-acute rehabilitation hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventy-two patients with severe TBI. Ninety-two were included in the DOCS-25 3-week analysis. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. MAIN MEASURE(S): Disorders of Consciousness Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale. RESULTS: The effect size and standardized response mean of the DOCS-25 for those who improved were 0.45 and 1.3, respectively-moderate to large by Cohen criteria. The MDC95 (95% confidence interval) was 5.6. Distribution-based MCIDs for small (0.20 SD), moderate (0.33 SD), and large (0.50 SD) differences were 2.6 units, 4.4 units, and 6.6 units, respectively. The anchor-based MCID was 8.6 units. On average, patients who improved (n = 57) gained 14.5 units by week 3, exceeding the anchor-based MCID. On average, patients who did not improve (n = 35) declined by 7.2 units, which exceeds both the MDC95 and the largest distribution-based MCID. CONCLUSION(S): The DOCS-25 is a responsive, clinician-observed assessment tool for capturing change in neurobehavioral function in adults recovering from severe TBI. This is the first study to provide evidence for the size of neurobehavioral function change that might indicate meaningful recovery in patients with severe TBI. Results from this study may support future research by better informing sample size calculations for clinical trials and also assist clinicians in identifying when variation in level of consciousness is consequential enough to warrant changes in intervention.

The Man I Once Knew: Grief and Inflammation in Female Partners of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Grief, although traditionally conceptualized as a bereavement-related reaction, is also experienced by significant others in response to the profound cognitive and personality changes associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a loved one. Grief associated with the death of a loved one is related to increases in proinflammatory cytokines, yet it is not clear whether this is the case for grief experienced by individuals caring for a significant other with TBI. The purpose of this cross-sectional, exploratory study was to examine grief and its association with a proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), in wives/partners caring for veterans with TBI. Participants completed written measures of grief, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms and provided morning saliva samples for TNF-α analysis. Participants reported levels of grief comparable to those reported in studies evaluating individuals grieving the death of a loved one. Path analysis revealed that grief was not associated with TNF-α; however, participants reporting high levels of blame/anger, a subscale of the grief scale, had higher levels of TNF-α. In addition, both grief and blame/anger were related to increased perceived stress and depressive symptoms; however, path analysis demonstrated that perceived stress and depressive symptoms did not mediate the influence of blame/anger on TNF-α. These findings suggest that blame/anger associated with grief may be related to the elevations in TNF-α exhibited by individuals caring for a loved one with TBI.

Placebo-Controlled Trial of Familiar Auditory Sensory Training for Acute Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Sensory stimulation is often provided to persons incurring severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), but therapeutic effects are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study investigated neurobehavioral and neurophysiological effects related to sensory stimulation on global neurobehavioral functioning, arousal, and awareness. METHODS: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial where 15 participants in states of disordered consciousness (DOC), an average of 70 days after TBI, were provided either the Familiar Auditory Sensory Training (FAST) or Placebo of silence. Global neurobehavioral functioning was measured with the Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS). Arousal and awareness were measured with the Coma-Near-Coma (CNC) scale. Neurophysiological effect was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). RESULTS: FAST (n = 8) and Placebo (n = 7) groups each showed neurobehavioral improvement. Mean DOCS change (FAST = 13.5, SD = 8.2; Placebo = 18.9, SD = 15.6) was not different, but FAST patients had significantly (P = .049; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.51, -.005) more CNC gains (FAST = 1.01, SD = 0.60; Placebo = 0.25, SD = 0.70). Mixed-effects models confirm CNC findings (P = .002). Treatment effect, based on CNC, is large (d = 1.88, 95% CI = 0.77, 3.00). Number needed to treat is 2. FAST patients had more fMRI activation in language regions and whole brain (P values <.05) resembling healthy controls' activation. CONCLUSIONS: For persons with DOC 29 to 170 days after TBI, FAST resulted in CNC gains and increased neural responsivity to vocal stimuli in language regions. Clinicians should consider providing the FAST to support patient engagement in neurorehabilitation.

He Looks Normal But Challenges of Family Caregivers of Veterans Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury.

PURPOSE: To describe the experience of family caregivers providing care to veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN/METHODS: Using a qualitative design, interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of women caregivers. Data were analyzed using content analysis procedures. FINDINGS: Findings resulted in the key concept phrased by participants as "He looks normal but." This phrase conceptualizes the participants' description of their experience caring for a brain injured veteran who could appear normal to others but the caregiver's description revealed substantial cognitive, social, and emotional deficits. Concepts include (a) Becoming aware of his disabilities, (b) Observing his troubling symptoms, (c) Dealing with his memory loss, (d) Being fearful of his anger, (e) Sensing his loneliness, (f) Acknowledging the effects on the children, and (g) Managing the best I can. CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A better understanding of the needs of caregivers of veterans with TBI may allow clinicians to better support caregivers.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation: potential treatment for co-occurring alcohol, traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorders.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occur (AUD + mTBI + PTSD). These conditions have overlapping symptoms which are, in part, reflective of overlapping neuropathology. These conditions become problematic because their co-occurrence can exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, treatments must be developed that are inclusive to all three conditions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is non-invasive and may be an ideal treatment for co-occurring AUD + mTBI + PTSD. There is accumulating evidence on rTMS as a treatment for people with AUD, mTBI, and PTSD each alone. However, there are no published studies to date on rTMS as a treatment for co-occurring AUD + mTBI + PTSD. This review article advances the knowledge base for rTMS as a treatment for AUD + mTBI + PTSD. This review provides background information about these co-occurring conditions as well as rTMS. The existing literature on rTMS as a treatment for people with AUD, TBI, and PTSD each alone is reviewed. Finally, neurobiological findings in support of a theoretical model are discussed to inform TMS as a treatment for co-occurring AUD + mTBI + PTSD. The peer-reviewed literature was identified by targeted literature searches using PubMed and supplemented by cross-referencing the bibliographies of relevant review articles. The existing evidence on rTMS as a treatment for these conditions in isolation, coupled with the overlapping neuropathology and symptomology of these conditions, suggests that rTMS may be well suited for the treatment of these conditions together.

Psychometric properties of the disorders of consciousness scale.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for psychometric properties of the Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS). DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort. SETTINGS: Seven rehabilitation facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=174) with severe brain injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE DOCS RESULTS: Initial analyses suggested eliminating 6 items to maximize psychometrics, resulting in the DOCS-25. The 25 items form a unidimensional hierarchy, rating scale categories are ordered, there are no misfitting items, and differential item functioning was not found according to sex, type of brain injury, veteran status, and days from onset. Person separation reliability (.91) indicates that the DOCS-25 is appropriate for individual patient measurement. Items are well targeted to the sample, with the difference between mean person and item calibrations less than 1 logit. DOCS-25 Rasch measures result in a 62% gain in relative precision over total raw scores. Internal consistency is very good (Cronbach α=.86); interrater agreement is excellent (intracIass correlation coefficient=.90) for both the DOCS-25 and the sensory subscales. The DOCS-25 total measure, but not subscale measures, correlates with the Glasgow Coma Scale and the Coma/Near-Coma Scales and distinguishes significantly between vegetative and minimally conscious states, indicating concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The DOCS-25 is psychometrically strong. It has excellent measurement precision and captures a broad range of patient function, which is critical for capturing recovery of consciousness. The sensory subscales are clinically informative but should not be reported as separate measures. The Keyform synthesizes clinical observations to visualize response patterns with potential for informing clinical decision-making. Future studies should determine sensitivity to change, examine issues of rater severity, and explore the usefulness of the Keyform in clinical practice.

Alcohol use and craving among Veterans with mental health disorders and mild traumatic brain injury.

Mental health disorders (MHDs), mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are endemic among recent Veterans, resulting in a population with heterogeneous, co-occurring conditions. While alcohol craving negatively affects rehabilitation and leads to relapse, no studies have examined alcohol craving among Veterans with co-occurring MHDs and mTBI. The purpose of this preliminary cohort study is to describe alcohol craving in a convenience sample of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (n = 48), including those exposed to traumatic events and experiencing active symptoms. Veterans completed weekly telephone interviews that included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, consumption questions (AUDIT-C) (week 1) and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) (weeks 1-6). Sixty percent of the sample screened positive on the AUDIT-C for probable AUD. Using Rasch analysis, the person separation reliability of the PACS was strong (0.87) among AUDIT-C positive Veterans. Higher PACS scores were reported among AUDIT-C positive versus AUDIT-C negative Veterans (mixed effects analysis, p < 0.001). PACS scores were higher among AUDIT-C positive Veterans with MHDs with and without mTBI versus AUDIT-C positive combat comparison Veterans (pairwise comparison, p < 0.001). Rates of hazardous alcohol use are high among Iraq and Afghanistan conflict Veterans and suggest that alcohol craving is elevated among those with MHDs with and without mTBI.

Prescribing multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation for severe brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Despite a lack of clear evidence, multiple neurostimulants are commonly provided after severe brain injury (BI). The purpose of this study is to determine if the number of neurostimulants received during rehabilitation was associated with recovery of full consciousness or improved neurobehavioral function after severe BI. METHOD: Data from 115 participants were extracted from a neurobehavioral observational study database for this exploratory, retrospective analysis. Univariate optimal data analysis was conducted to determine if the number of neurostimulants influenced classification of four outcomes: recovery of full consciousness during rehabilitation, recovery of full consciousness within one year of injury, and meaningful neurobehavioral improvement during rehabilitation defined as either at least a 4.7 unit (minimal detectable change) or 2.58 unit (minimal clinically important difference) gain on the Disorders of Consciousness Scale-25 (DOCS-25). RESULTS: Number of neurostimulants was not significantly (P > 0.05) associated with recovery of full consciousness during rehabilitation, within one year of injury, or meaningful neurobehavioral improvement using the DOCS-25. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation may not influence recovery of full consciousness or meaningful neurobehavioral improvement. Given costs associated with additional medication, future research is needed to guide physicians about the merits of prescribing multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation after severe BI.

Predicting levels of independence with expressing needs and ideas 1 year after severe brain injury.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: Severe brain injury (BI) is a catastrophic event often evolving into a complex chronic and severely disabling condition making activity participation possible only with sustained caregiving. One aspect of building sustainable caregiving is early provision of information about expected outcomes germane to patients and their caregivers. An analysis was conducted to determine whether 2 levels of independence with expressing needs and ideas 1-year after severe BI could be predicted using variables available early after injury. METHOD: The authors examined a subsample (n = 79) of participants of an outcome study who received repeated neurobehavioral evaluations with the Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS) and who were assessed 1 year after injury with the Functional Independence Measures (FIM). Explanatory variables included DOCS measures, patient characteristics, coexisting conditions, and interventions. The outcome is measured with the FIM Expression item. Optimal data analysis was used to construct multivariate classification tree models. RESULTS: The 2nd (p = .004) DOCS visual measure and seizure (p = .004) entered the final model providing 79% accuracy in classifying more or less independence with expressing needs and ideas at 1 year. The model will correctly identify 78% of future severe BI survivors who will have more independence and 82% of persons who will have less independence. CONCLUSIONS: For persons incurring severe BI, it is possible to predict, early after injury, more and less independence with expressing needs and ideas 1-year after injury. This evidence is 1 contribution to a larger body of evidence needed to enable early caregiver education about recovery expectations in terms of patient functioning relative to caregiving needs, which in turn will help build sustainable caregiving for this population.

Burnout and coping strategies of polytrauma team members caring for veterans with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this national study were to (1) examine the extent of job burnout among VA Polytrauma team members engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI); and (2) identify their coping strategies for dealing with job-related stress. DESIGN: A cross-sectional sample of 233 VA Polytrauma team members completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and identified strategies for coping with work stress as part of an online survey. RESULTS: VA Polytrauma team members experience moderate levels of emotional exhaustion, but low levels of depersonalization and high levels of personal accomplishment. Moreover, 24% of participants reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, which may be a precursor to job burnout. Participants who reported caring for veterans with TBI ≥50% of their time experienced higher levels of emotional exhaustion than those who spent <50% of their time (p ≤ 0.001). Five major thematic categories related to coping strategies emerged from the data: (1) connecting with others, (2) promoting a healthy lifestyle, (3) pursuing outside interests, (4) managing work environment and (5) maintaining positive thinking. CONCLUSION: Polytrauma team members caring for Veterans with TBI may be at risk for job burnout.

Preliminary framework for Familiar Auditory Sensory Training (FAST) provided during coma recovery.

Since there remains a need to examine the nature of the neural effect and therapeutic efficacy/effectiveness of sensory stimulation provided to persons in states of seriously impaired consciousness, a passive sensory stimulation intervention, referred to as the Familiar Auditory Sensory Training (FAST) protocol, was developed for examination in an ongoing, double-blind, randomized clinical trial (RCT). The FAST protocol is described in this article according to the preliminary framework, which is a synthesis of knowledge regarding principles of plasticity and capabilities of the human brain to automatically and covertly process sensory input. Feasibility issues considered during the development of the intervention are also described. To enable replication of this intervention, we describe procedures to create the intervention and lessons learned regarding the creation process. The potential effect of the intervention is illustrated using functional brain imaging of nondisabled subjects. This illustration also demonstrates the relevance of the rationale for designing the FAST protocol. To put the intervention within the context of the scientific development process, the article culminates with a description of the study design for the ongoing RCT examining the efficacy of the FAST protocol.

Sex differences in perceived life satisfaction and functional status one year after severe traumatic brain injury.

AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to describe and compare perceived life satisfaction and perceived functional motor and cognitive status 1 year after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in males and females, adjusting for demographics and severity of injury. METHODS: Data of 297 participants were abstracted from the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR)-funded Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS). Participants were aged 16-50, enrolled in the TBIMS study between the years 1998 and 2008, diagnosed with severe TBI (defined as having an initial Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score between 3 and 8), and with perceived life satisfaction and functional status data available at 1 year postinjury. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the association between sex, demographic variables, severity of injury, and the outcome variables. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that sex did not significantly influence perceived satisfaction with life or motor function 1 year after severe TBI. However, females had significantly better (p = 0.031) cognitive outcomes compared to males 1 year after severe TBI, after controlling for demographics and severity of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that females may have better perceived cognitive functional outcomes than males 1 year after severe TBI. Further longitudinal research, including measurement of hormonal levels, is needed to determine if hormones influence outcomes of severe TBI as well as the trajectory of these outcomes. A better understanding of sex differences in outcomes after TBI will help clinicians improve strategies for rehabilitation.

Assessment scales for disorders of consciousness: evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice and research.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review of behavioral assessment scales for disorders of consciousness (DOC); provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical use based on their content validity, reliability, diagnostic validity, and ability to predict functional outcomes; and provide research recommendations on DOC scale development and validation. DATA SOURCES: Articles published through March 31, 2009, using MEDLINE, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Biomedical Reference Collection, and PsycINFO. Thirteen primary terms that defined DOC were paired with 30 secondary terms that defined aspects of measurement. Scale names, abbreviations, and authors were also used as search terms. Task force members identified additional articles by using personal knowledge and examination of references in reviewed articles. STUDY SELECTION: Primary criteria included the following: (1) provided reliability, diagnostic validity, and/or prognostic validity data; (2) examined a cohort, case control, or case series sample of persons with DOC who were age older than or equal to 18 years; and (3) assessed in an acute care or rehabilitation setting. Articles were excluded if peer review was not conducted, original data were not reported, or an English language article was not available. The initial search yielded 580 articles. After paired rater review of study abstracts, guideline development was based on 37 articles representing 13 DOC scales. DATA EXTRACTION: Rater pairs classified studies addressing diagnostic and prognostic validity by using the American Academy of Neurology 4-tier level of evidence scheme, and reliability by using a task force-developed 3-tier evidence scheme. An independent quality review of ratings was conducted, and corrections were made. DATA SYNTHESIS: The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), Sensory Stimulation Assessment Measure (SSAM), Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM), Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP), Sensory Modality Assessment Technique (SMART), Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS), and Coma/Near-Coma Scale (CNC) have acceptable standardized administration and scoring procedures. The CRS-R has excellent content validity and is the only scale to address all Aspen Workgroup criteria. The SMART, SSAM, WHIM, and WNSSP demonstrate good content validity, containing items that could distinguish persons who are in a vegetative state, are in a minimally conscious state (MCS), or have emerged from MCS. The Full Outline of UnResponsiveness Score (FOUR), WNSSP, CRS-R, Comprehensive Levels of Consciousness Scale (CLOCS), and Innsbruck Coma Scale (INNS) showed substantial evidence of internal consistency. The FOUR and the CRS-R showed substantial evidence of good interrater reliability. Evidence of diagnostic validity and prognostic validity in brain injury survivor samples had very high levels of potential bias because of methodologic issues such as lack of rater masking. CONCLUSIONS: The CRS-R may be used to assess DOC with minor reservations, and the SMART, WNSSP, SSAM, WHIM, and DOCS may be used to assess DOC with moderate reservations. The CNC may be used to assess DOC with major reservations. The FOUR, INNS, Glasgow-Liege Coma Scale, Swedish Reaction Level Scale-1985, Loewenstein Communication Scale, and CLOCS are not recommended at this time for bedside behavioral assessment of DOC because of a lack of content validity, lack of standardization, and/or unproven reliability.

Predictive value of the Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS).

OBJECTIVE: To examine the predictive validity of measures of neurobehavioral change derived from the Disorders of Consciousness Scale (DOCS) for predicting return to consciousness 4, 8, and 12 months after severe brain injury (BI). DESIGN: Prospective observational predictive validity study SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and postrehabilitation residence PARTICIPANTS: A total of 113 persons with a mean age of 38 +/- 17.8 years who were unconscious for >28 days consecutively after severe BI; 73% (83/113) with traumatic BI and 27% (30/113) with other BI. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Baseline DOCS, DOCS average, change from baseline DOCS to subsequent DOCS (DOCS2, DOCS3, DOCS4, DOCS5, DOCS6), and injury type (traumatic BI vs. other BI) MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Time to consciousness at 4, 8, and 12 months after injury RESULTS: When controlling for injury type, the DOCS average as well as DOCS change between the first and second DOCS (DOCS1-2), first and fifth DOCS (DOCS1-5) and first and last DOCS (DOCStotalchg) significantly (P < or = .05) contributed to predicting recovery and lack of recovery of consciousness at 4, 8, and/or 12 months after injury. DOCS1-5 manifested the most balanced accuracy in predictions, where predicting recovery of consciousness is accurate 87% of the time and predicting lack of recovery of consciousness is accurate 88% of the time. CONCLUSION: For persons with prolonged disorders of consciousness, the findings indicate that evidence-based prognostication for individual patients is possible. The implications for research are that the DOCS can be used as a meaningful, reliable, and valid primary outcome to measure treatment effects in clinical trials. The evidence indicates further that DOCS measures merit inclusion in future research that aims to develop multivariate prognostication models.