bars_agitation_score: Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS)

Description

Retrieves the description and clinical status for a given Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) score. BARS is a validated tool used to assess the severity of agitation in patients, particularly in acute psychiatric or emergency settings. It utilizes a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (Difficult to rouse) to 7 (Violent).

Usage

bars_agitation_score(patient_state_score)

Arguments

patient_state_score

Numeric (1-7). The observed state of the patient. 1: Difficult or unable to rouse. 2: Asleep but responds normally to verbal or physical contact. 3: Drowsy, appears sedated. 4: Quiet and awake (normal level of activity). 5: Signs of overt (physical or verbal) activity, calms down with instructions. 6: Extremely or continuously active, not requiring restraint. 7: Violent, requires restraint.

Value

A list containing:

BARS_Score	The input score.
Description	The specific behavioral description associated with the score.
Clinical_Status	General categorization (e.g., Sedated, Normal, Agitated).

References

Swift RH, Harrigan EP, Cappelleri JC, et al. Validation of the Behavioural Activity Rating Scale (BARS): a novel measure of activity in agitated patients. J Psychiatr Res. 2002;36(2):87-95. doi:10.1016/s0022-3956(01)00053-6

Examples

# Example 1: Normal Activity
bars_agitation_score(4)

# Example 2: Severe Agitation
bars_agitation_score(7)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.