Bush–Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument (BFCSI)
Document observed catatonic signs and dimensional severity; requires clinical interpretation
Reference information · Questionnaire
- Last content update
- 2026-10-26
- Clinical review
- Not independently reviewed
- Source jurisdiction
- See individual sources
- Coverage
- Questionnaire
| Field | Instrument context |
|---|---|
| Version | Original English first 14 BFCRS items; Rochester order |
| Population | Clinical assessment of suspected catatonia; not a patient self-report tool |
| Respondent | Trained clinician examination |
| Recall period | At least five-minute assessment; specify state or interval examination and use collateral information where required |
| Purpose | Document observed catatonic signs and dimensional severity; requires clinical interpretation |
Use the standardized BFCRS examination and coding manual. Observe spontaneous behavior, speech, eye contact and activity; assess postures, imitation, resistance, rigidity, automatic obedience, mitgehen, gegenhalten, ambitendency and grasp reflex using the manual’s examination procedure. Review intake and vital signs. The assessment requires at least five minutes, or the duration of the clinical examination if longer. State versus interval findings must be identified in the clinical record. Items such as withdrawal require collateral information about duration. Read the source manual for the complete examination and exclusion rules before rating.
Bush G, Fink M, Petrides G, Dowling F, Francis A (1996). Catatonia I: Rating scale and standardized examination. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 93:129–136. Manual: Wortzel, Francis and Oldham; February 2022.
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Interpretation & limitations
- Count of present signs among the first 14 BFCRS items; each present sign contributes one, irrespective of its severity rating.
- This is a screening-sign count requiring clinical assessment, not a diagnosis or safety assessment. The remaining nine BFCRS items are not administered in this screening form.
- Use the official standardized examination and training manual. Do not infer absence of a sign from missing observations.
- Different reproduced forms reorder items; this definition uses the official Rochester order consistently.
References · 4
- Official BFCRS item order, descriptions and anchors
- Official standardized examination and coding manual
- APA catatonia resource document; educational and clinical use context
- Permission and attribution · Official clinician assessment and educational resources developed with Andrew Francis and provided through Rochester; preserve source wording and attribution. These resources are described as free for educational and clinical use in the APA catatonia resource document.