Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale (CRICHT)

Abstract

The Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale (CRICHT) is an original, observer-rated instrument developed by Robinson in 1964. Its primary function is to assess the level of behavioral functioning and deterioration in elderly psychiatric patients who are undergoing a specialized geriatric treatment program. The CRICHT is composed of 11 items, each rated on a 5-point scale, where a score of 1 signifies normality and 5 indicates complete failure of function in that domain.

The scale is structured for administration both before and after treatment to monitor changes in patient status. Total scores provide an indication of severity of deterioration: scores between 10 and 20 suggest mild deterioration; scores between 21 and 30 indicate moderate deterioration; and scores exceeding 31 denote severe deterioration. The 11 items comprehensively cover essential domains of daily life and mental status, including mobility, orientation, communication, and basic self-care activities.

Keywords

Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale, CRICHT, Geriatric Behavioral Functioning, Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Assessment, Psychiatric Patients, Behavioral Assessment, Test Development, Orientation, Continence, Mood Assessment.

Authors

Robinson, R. A.

Purpose

The core purpose of the Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale (CRICHT) is to objectively measure and quantify the behavioral functioning level in elderly individuals admitted as psychiatric patients. This assessment is crucial for clinical monitoring within a geriatric treatment setting.

Specifically, the CRICHT serves as a standardized tool for clinicians to track patient decline or improvement over time, typically through pre-treatment and post-treatment administrations. By focusing on observable behaviors and functional abilities, the scale assists in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions aimed at stabilizing or improving the patient’s daily functioning and quality of life.

Construct

The primary psychological construct measured by the CRICHT is Geriatric Behavioral Functioning. This construct encompasses a broad range of observable behaviors and capacities necessary for independent or semi-independent living within a clinical environment.

The scale focuses on deficits and strengths across fundamental domains, including basic self-care, cognitive awareness (orientation), interaction (communication and cooperation), and physiological stability (continence and sleep). It provides a holistic measure of the patient’s overall functional status, essential for effective geriatric care planning.

Validity

Information regarding the specific validity measures (e.g., construct validity, criterion validity) of the Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale was not indicated in the available sources. Further psychometric research is necessary to establish the extent to which the CRICHT accurately measures the construct of geriatric behavioral functioning.

Reliability

Details concerning the reliability of the Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale, such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) or inter-rater reliability, were not indicated in the available sources. Clinicians utilizing the scale should consider these limitations and seek supplementary data regarding the scale’s consistency across different raters and time points.

Factor Analysis

No formal factor analysis results are indicated for the Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale in the source documentation. A factor analysis would typically be used to determine if the 11 items cluster into distinct subscales (e.g., an ADL factor, a cognitive factor, and a mood factor), thereby confirming the underlying structure of the construct being measured.

Instrument

Test Type: Original Rating Scale

Format: The CRICHT contains 11 items, each rated on a 5-point scale (1 = normality; 5 = complete failure of function).

Language Available: English

Population Group: Human; Male; Female; Inpatient

Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older); Aged (65 yrs & older); Very Old (85 yrs & older)

Population Details: Sample: Elderly Psychiatric Patients

Test Methodology: No data is available regarding specific administration procedures beyond it being a paper-based rating scale administered pre-treatment and post-treatment.

Keywords

Mobility Assessment, Orientation Assessment, Communication Assessment, Cooperation Assessment, Dressing, Feeding, Continence, Sleep Assessment, Objective Mood Assessment, Subjective Mood Assessment, Test Construction.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: No data is available

Affiliation Email addresses: No data is available

Correspondence Address: No data is available

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: The scale may be used for Research and Teaching purposes.

Fee: There is no fee indicated for the use of this instrument.

Test Year: 1964

The original PDF for the scale, which includes the items, can be downloaded here: Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale (CRICHT)

Reference’s

• Guy, William (1976). ECDEU Assessment Manual. 612 pp. US Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). doi:10.1037/e591322011-001

Items of the Crichton Geriatric Rating Scale (CRICHT)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way. These domains represent the functional areas assessed by the 11-item scale:

• Mobility: (e.g. “fully ambulant”) – Assessing the patient’s capacity for movement.

• Orientation: (e.g., “oriented in ward and identifies persons correctly”) – Assessing cognitive awareness of time, place, and person.

• Communication: (e.g., “always clear and retains information”) – Assessing the clarity and retention ability during communication.

• Co-operation: Assessing the patient’s willingness and ability to cooperate with staff and treatment protocols.

• Restlessness: Assessing the presence and severity of agitated or restless behavior.

• Dressing: Assessing the ability to dress oneself, a fundamental Activity of Daily Living (ADL).

• Feeding: Assessing the ability to feed oneself, a fundamental Activity of Daily Living (ADL).

• Continence: Assessing control over bladder and bowel functions.

• Sleep: Assessing the quality and pattern of sleep.

• Mood (Objective): Assessing observable signs of mood state.

• Mood (Subjective): Assessing the patient’s reported mood state.