To further promote standardized assessment of disorders of consciousness following brain injury and to advance the use of the China Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale (CNCRS) in evaluating patients with such conditions, enabling more professionals in the field of critical care rehabilitation to master the scoring methods of these scales, the national-level continuing medical education–recommended program “Workshop on Scale-Based Assessment of Disorders of Consciousness After Brain Injury” was successfully held in Nanjing on October 17–18, 2025. The event was co-organized by the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions and Nanjing Zijin Hospital. (Project No.: 2025-16-01-076 [National]).

On the morning of October 17, the training course officially commenced. Bi Sheng, Chairman of the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions, delivered the opening address, emphasizing that assessment of disorders of consciousness is the foundation of rehabilitation for patients with brain injury, and that accurate evaluation provides crucial guidance for treatment planning. He further noted that promoting and applying domestically developed scales for assessing recovery of consciousness represents not only independent innovation in technical tools but also a step toward establishing an assessment system better aligned with China’s clinical realities and patient needs—thereby significantly enhancing the precision of assessments and driving high‑quality advances in rehabilitation practice. He expressed his hope that participants would use this training to strengthen their clinical skills and deliver higher‑quality rehabilitation services to patients.

“The Value of Rehabilitation from the Perspective of the ICF Scale”

Professor Li Jian’an, Lifetime Honorary Chair of the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Non‑Public Medical Institutions, delivered a presentation titled “The Value of Rehabilitation from the Perspective of the ICF Framework.” Drawing on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), he provided an in-depth exposition of the core values and overarching principles of rehabilitation medicine. He emphasized that the ultimate goal of rehabilitation is to help patients reintegrate into society, and that precise assessment of disorders of consciousness is essential for developing personalized rehabilitation plans. Furthermore, he consistently underscored the need to establish a value‑based reimbursement model for rehabilitation, with functional improvement at its core.

“The Birth and Development of the Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale in China”

In his report, “The Birth and Development of the China Nanjing Scale for Recovery of Consciousness,” President Ge Jiangping of Nanjing Zijin Hospital provided a detailed review of the CNCRS’s evolution, which began in the 1990s and has undergone six rounds of revision and refinement. From the CNPVSS (China Persistent Vegetative State Scale) to the CNCRS (China Nanjing Scale for Recovery of Consciousness), this scale has been shaped through the concerted efforts of two sub‑centers working in succession. As a domestically developed instrument, it embodies the collective expertise of several generations of Chinese experts in brain resuscitation and, with its broad scope and user‑friendly administration, is particularly well suited to China’s clinical setting.

Neuroanatomical Foundations of Consciousness and Disorders of Consciousness

At the lecture “Neuroanatomical Foundations of Consciousness and Disorders of Consciousness,” Gao Zhiqiang, Executive Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, guided the participants on a “journey to unravel the mysteries of the brain.” From a neuroanatomical perspective, he elucidated the enigmas of consciousness, laying the theoretical groundwork for understanding the clinical manifestations of disorders of consciousness.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Disorders of Consciousness

Wang Yifang, Deputy Director of Clinical Affairs at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, delivered a comprehensive and systematic analysis titled “Traumatic Brain Injury and Disorders of Consciousness,” elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying consciousness impairment following traumatic brain injury. She provided a detailed overview of clinical assessment tools and treatment strategies at each stage, and shared insights into the indications and anticipated outcomes of various therapeutic approaches.

“Imaging Study of Patients with Disorders of Consciousness in an Extremely Weak Magnetic Field”

In his presentation, “Imaging Studies of Patients with Disorders of Consciousness under Extremely Weak Magnetic Fields,” Ye Xiangming, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, outlined recent advances in the application of cutting-edge neuroimaging technologies to the assessment of disorders of consciousness. By comparing these techniques with brain–computer interface approaches, he provided a clear and comprehensive explanation of the key technologies, measurement principles, and clinical potential of magnetoencephalography, thereby opening up new avenues for the objective evaluation of disorders of consciousness.

“A Comparative Analysis of the Chinese Native Scale and the Glasgow Coma Scale”

In his study, “A Comparative Analysis of the Chinese Native Scale and the Glasgow Coma Scale,” Dr. Wang Changbao, Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, conducted an in-depth comparison of the two scales across multiple dimensions, including subscale items and assessment outcomes. Drawing on robust clinical data, he clearly demonstrated the CNCRS’s distinctive advantages in terms of assessment content, sensitivity, and applicability, thereby providing clinicians with a valuable reference for making informed choices when selecting assessment tools.

“The Application of the American Coma Recovery Scale in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness”

Liu Yafeng, Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, focused on “The Application of the American Coma Recovery Scale in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness,” outlining the scale’s key features and practical experience, and underscored the critical importance of standardized assessment in the long-term management of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness.

“Application for the Development of a Group Standard in Rehabilitation Medicine”

On October 18, the training course entered its second day. Yan Tiebin, advisor to the Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the China Association of Non‑Public Medical Institutions, delivered a comprehensive presentation titled “Application for Rehabilitation Medicine Group Standards,” outlining the procedures and requirements for submitting standardization proposals in the field of rehabilitation medicine. He emphasized that, as integrated clinical–rehabilitation care continues to advance and demand for rehabilitation services keeps rising, rehabilitation medicine is increasingly converging with clinical medicine. He encouraged more institutions to actively participate in the development of industry standards, thereby jointly promoting the standardized growth of rehabilitation medicine.

“Rehabilitation Quality Control Based on ICF Functional Assessment”

In her report, “Rehabilitation Quality Control Based on ICF Functional Assessment,” Jin Juan, Chief Nurse at Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital, provided an in-depth analysis—from a nursing management perspective—of how to integrate ICF principles into the rehabilitation quality‑control framework. She particularly underscored the importance of establishing an integrated medical–nursing–therapeutic care model, emphasizing that “shared decision‑making, shared accountability, and information sharing” constitute the three core elements for enhancing patient function and improving the overall quality of rehabilitation services.

Introduction to the Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale of China

Gao Zhiqiang, Executive Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, took the stage once again to deliver an authoritative presentation titled “An Introduction to the China Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale.” From the CNPVSS, which began its exploratory phase in 1996, to the increasingly mature CNCRS as of 2023, he provided a detailed account of how clinical feedback has shaped the scale’s content and guided revisions to its subscales. His remarks enabled participants to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this indigenous scale’s core value and scientific rigor.

Assessment of Critically Ill Patients in the ICU

In his presentation, “Assessment of Critically Ill Patients in the ICU,” Qin Haidong, Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Nanjing First Hospital, drew on his extensive clinical experience in emergency medicine and the ICU to underscore the critical importance of early rehabilitation intervention. Through vivid case presentations, Professor Qin helped participants gain a deep understanding of the significance of adopting the patient’s perspective—a key component of clinical competence—providing them with profound insights.

Operations and Practical Training

This training session featured a specially designed component that seamlessly integrated theory with practice. Director Gao Jirong and Director Pan Xingming of the Critical Care Rehabilitation Department (Wake‑Up Center) at Nanjing Zijin Hospital respectively conducted “Practical Training on the Glasgow Coma Scale” and “Hands‑On Training in the use of the Chinese Nanjing Scale for Recovery of Consciousness.”

“Operation and Practical Training of the Glasgow Coma Scale”

They integrate assessment guidelines with clinical expertise through a variety of methods, including step-by-step analysis of procedural details, demonstration of standard operating videos, and hands-on simulations using real-world cases. Participants deepen their understanding in realistic, full‑scale simulations and overcome challenging concepts during interactive Q&A sessions. As a result, they not only master the operational protocols for both scales but also enhance their ability to apply assessment tools accurately in complex clinical settings.

Operational Training on the Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale of China

This session of the training program incorporates in-class quizzes as a key component of its teaching feedback loop, leveraging carefully designed assessments to help participants systematically organize their knowledge, deepen their understanding through answering questions, and reinforce retention by addressing mistakes.

The successful conclusion of this national-level continuing education program marks a new milestone in Nanjing Zijin Hospital’s efforts to strengthen its academic standing and leadership in the field of consciousness‑disorder rehabilitation. As the core institution responsible for the development and dissemination of CNCRS, China’s indigenous scale for assessing disorders of consciousness, Nanjing Zijin Hospital will remain committed to driving a pivotal shift in domestic assessment practices—from “drawing on international standards” to “independent innovation”—thereby contributing to the advancement of critical care rehabilitation in China.