Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS): Brain Injury Recovery

The Rancho Los Amigos Scale tracks cognitive recovery and behaviour after a brain injury. Clinicians use it to identify healing stages and guide rehabilitation planning for patients.

Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS) PDF assessment form for cognitive functioning levels.
RLAS

Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS)

The Rancho Los Amigos Scale assesses cognitive functioning in patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries. This tool tracks awareness levels and behavioural patterns, helping clinicians plan effective rehabilitation. It's a standard method for monitoring progress from coma to independence.

Category

Rehabilitation
Mental health
Monitoring

Disease

Rehabilitation
Assessment
Clinical Measurement

Source

(Hagen et al., 1972)

Author Name

Hagen, C., Malkmus, D. & Durham, P. (1972)

What is Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS)

The Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS) is a trusted tool for tracking recovery after a brain injury. It helps teams understand cognitive awareness levels clearly. This scale maps out the specific stages of healing following a traumatic brain injury. It looks at how a patient responds to stimuli and interacts with the environment. The levels range from no response at all to purposeful and appropriate behaviour. Clinicians observe if a person is confused, agitated, or automatic in their actions. It covers everything from deep coma states right up to full daily independence. Doctors and therapists use this system to plan rehab programs that fit the patient's current abilities. It is simple to use without needing special gear, making it practical for busy hospitals. Families also find it helpful to see where their loved one sits on the recovery path and what to expect next.

RLAS Scoring

The Rancho Los Amigos Scale can be scored using one main observational approach based on patient behaviour. Clinicians assign a single level, typically from I to X, that best fits the patient's current cognitive state. Level I represents No Response requiring total assistance, while Level X indicates Purposeful and Appropriate behaviour with modified independence. Middle levels often reflect confusion or agitation. You do not add up points here; instead, the team picks the level that matches observed responses to stimuli and daily tasks. This helps track the recovery journey after a brain injury.

View scoring form

Advantages

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

Clear communication

Promotes active participation in healthcare assessment.

Outcome tracking

Measures healthcare intervention results systematically.

5
Minutes
20
Questions

Collect Rancho Los Amigos Scale data with WeGuide, the all-in-one platform

Digitise TBI recovery tracking. Automate RLAS assessments and monitor cognitive progress over time with WeGuide.

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