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.
Main outcome measures: 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.