What does the Rancho Los Amigos Scale primarily measure?

The Rancho Los Amigos Scale is primarily used to assess cognitive recovery in patients who have suffered brain injuries or other neurological events. This scale categorizes the stages of recovery and helps clinicians evaluate the patient's cognitive functioning and behavioral responses. It provides a structured way to monitor changes over time, noting improvements or regressions in cognitive abilities as the individual progresses through various levels of recovery. This focus on cognitive function is critical in rehabilitation settings, where understanding a patient’s cognitive level informs treatment planning and goal setting.

While aspects related to speech production, motor skills, and auditory perception may be relevant in the context of brain injury recovery, the core purpose of the Rancho Los Amigos Scale is distinctly centered on cognitive assessment.