Predicting emergence from a disorder of consciousness using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised

This study explored the utility of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) in predicting emergence from a disorder of consciousness, using a sample of veterans who were treated at one of the five Veterans Affairs (VA) polytrauma rehabilitation centre sites in an Emerging Consciousness programme. Participants (N = 70) included both combat and non-combat active duty military personnel and veterans who sustained either a severe traumatic brain injury, or anoxic brain injury and were considered to have a disorder of consciousness at the time of admission. Patient information was retrospectively collected from electronic medical records from one of the VA polytrauma rehabilitation centre sites. Receiver Operator Characteristic models were utilised to explore "cut-off scores" for predicting emergence using the CRS-R. Results showed that week-three scores on the CRS-R were more accurate in determining whether a veteran would emerge from a disorder of consciousness. Limitations, including a limited sample size are explored, along with implications and recommendations for future research and clinical practice.