NMBPRS: Neppe Modification of the Revised Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale

This test uses a 0-6 occasionally 7 ordinal ranking scale of each of 18 basic items, 3 COP items and an additional frustration score ). The original Overall and Gorham test has been subject to numerous variations and used a great deal in evaluating change in psychopathology scores over time, although inter-rater reliability may be questioned. In this instance, the frustration score is an additional item not found in the usual BPRS, and in addition to orientation, a score of on the COP items - concentration, orientation, perplexity - is developed for higher cerebral function. The remaining items are the 18 psychopathology items that are derived from the MBPRS. To ensure greater scoring consistency than in the original BPRS, the essence of each item is summarized on a score-sheet and the criteria in the PANSS of Kay and Fiszbein are used. A "validity score" is based on whether particular items could be ranked accurately -0, questionably-1 or not at all- 2. Therefore 0 reflects the highest level of validity. An Overall Clinical Impression Score is also made based on a gestalt of the patient. The MBPRS as recorded involves several assessments over each interview and obse rvation period during testing.

The first 18 items reflect the correlate of the BPRS score (using a 0-6 or 7 system) There is an additional single item frustration score not usual in the BPRS of Overall and Gorham. There are three COP items for higher cerebral function - concentration, orientation, perplexity. The total score on the MBPRS is a composite of the above 22 items. The validity score of 0 reflects the highest level of validity. The Overall Clinical Impression Score is a single composite impression score by the neuropsychiatrist rater.

Further information in the Neuropsychiatric Evaluation of the Closed Head Injury of Transient Type (CHIT)