Predictive validity of Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale in subjects with acute brain dysfunction

We implemented a correlational study to evaluate the effectiveness of Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale in predicting length of hospital stay and discharge status. We evaluated 128 patients who had had cerebrovascular accidents or head injuries using Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale and documented their lengths of stay and discharge dispositions. Significant correlations were obtained between initial Disability Rating scores and lengths of hospital stay (r = .50, p less than .01), discharge Disability Rating scores (r = .66, p less than .01), and discharge status (r = .40, p less than .01). Higher initial ratings of disability were associated with higher discharge ratings and longer terms of hospitalization. Higher ratings of disability were also associated with discharge to another treatment facility rather than home. Despite this evidence supporting the predictive validity of Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale, accurate prediction of length of hospitalization remains difficult because of extreme sample variability. Areas of further investigation are considered.