Table 1.

Descriptions of the Categories of the Glasgow Outcome Scale

“1. Dead: As a direct result of brain trauma, or … due to secondary complications or other complications”

“2. Vegetative State: Patients who remain unresponsive and speechless….”

“3. Severe Disability: The patient is conscious but needs the assistance of another person for some activities of daily living every day.….”

“4. Moderate Disability: Such a patient is able to look after himself at home, to get out and about to the shops and to travel by public transport. However, some previous activities, either at work or in social life, are now no longer possible by reason of either physical or mental deficit….”

“5. Good Recovery: This indicates the capacity to resume normal occupational and social activities, although there may be minor physical or mental deficits…social outcome should be included in the assessment here, such as leisure activities and family relationships.”

Excerpted from Jennet and Bond (1975)1