The Edinburgh Coma Scales were developed in Japan to evaluate patients with impaired consciousness. An initial coma scale developed in 1973 reportedly has been used by the Department of Surgical Neurology at the University of Edinburgh (caption to Table 1, page 412,Sigiura et al, 1983). This was modified in 1978 (Edinburgh-2 Coma Scale) to improve its usefulness. The Edinburgh-2 scale reportedly correlates well with the Glasgow Coma Scale and may complement it for better accuracy.
Patient selection: The age range for use is not given, but young children might be unable to answer the questions or follow the commands.
Edinburgh Coma Scale (1973)
Finding
Score
answers simple questions
? 0
obeys simple commands
? 1
localizing movements of limb(s)
? 2
flexor to pain
? 3
extensor to pain
? 4
no response
? 5
where:
• The score values are uncertain, pending review of original references (in Japanese).
Edinburgh-2 Coma Scale (1978)
Set of Questions:
(1) What month is it?
(2) What is your age?
Set of Commands:
(1) Close and open your hand.
(2) Close and open your eyes.
Stimulation
Best Response
Score
2 set of question
answers both correctly
0
answers either correctly
1
answers neither correctly
2
2 sets of commands
obeys both correctly
3
obeys either correctly
4
obeys neither correctly
5
response to strong pain
localizing
6
flexion
7
extension
8
no response
9
Interpretation of Edinburgh-2 Coma Scale:
• The lower the value the better the prognosis.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
