Brief Description
The Body Vigilance Scale (BVS) is a self-report measure designed to assess the tendency to focus on panic-related bodily sensations. It consists of four items in total. Items 1-3 assess the degree of attentional focus, perceived sensitivity to shifts in bodily sensations, and the amount of time one spends engaging in awareness of bodily sensations. Item 4 involves rating one’s attention to 15 bodily sensations, which correspond to the physical symptoms of panic attacks as outlined in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition). This measure is used for clinical decision making and tracking progress when treating individuals with anxiety disorders that involve body vigilance, such as Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Hypochondriasis.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
4 primary questions. Item 4 has 15 sub-questions that assess one’s awareness of sensation in various areas of the body.
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Weekly
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
Due to current limitations to scoring on Blueprint, the “total score” produced by Blueprint should be disregarded. Blueprint produces 4 subscale scores: Attentional Focus, Sensitivity to Change, Overall Attention Time, and Physical Sensations (see below). Clinicians must manually calculate the total BVS score by summing the 4 subscale scores. The minimum possible calculated total score is 0 and the maximum possible score is 40. Higher scores on the BVS indicate greater body vigilance. There is no clinically significant cutoff score.
Subscale | Items |
Attentional Focus | 1 |
Sensitivity to Change | 2 |
Overall Attention Time | 3 |
Physical Sensations | 4-18 |
Blueprint Adjustments
Item 4 on the original version of the measure includes 15 sub-questions that assess bodily awareness in various areas of the body. The Blueprint platform cannot currently present a measure as having sub-questions; therefore, each sub-question appears as its own question on the Blueprint platform. Though the appearance of the measure on the Blueprint platform is different than the original, it contains the same scoring methodology and interpretation.
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 4-5 minutes
The BVS was created using DSM-IV criteria for panic attacks. To make a proper panic-related diagnosis, clinicians should confer with the DSM 5 criteria.
The BVS is meant to enhance clinical decision-making. It should not serve as the sole basis for making a diagnosis.
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
We're here for you!
Do you have follow-up questions? We're here and happy to help!
Send us an email at help@blueprint-health.com or use the help messenger in the lower right corner to speak with our Support team. 💪🏼