ABSTRACT
This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), which is a clinician rating scale. It was initially developed to evaluate the efficacy of different types of medical management on social outcome and quality of life after acquired brain impairment (ABI). The GOS is widely used, both in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well other neurological groups, and is frequently employed in clinical trials. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.
