On the Modified Ashworth Scale, which grade describes severe spasticity with movement essentially impossible?

On the Modified Ashworth Scale, which grade describes severe spasticity with movement essentially impossible?

• A. MAS 1
• B. MAS 2
• C. MAS 3
• D. MAS 4

Answer: (D)

The Modified Ashworth Scale measures how resistant a joint is to passive movement, with higher grades reflecting greater tone. Severe spasticity described as movement essentially impossible corresponds to rigidity—where the limb is effectively fixed in a position and you can’t move it passively. That is grade four. Lower grades show increasing resistance but still allow some passive movement, so they don’t describe movement as effectively impossible.

The Modified Ashworth Scale measures how resistant a joint is to passive movement, with higher grades reflecting greater tone. Severe spasticity described as movement essentially impossible corresponds to rigidity—where the limb is effectively fixed in a position and you can’t move it passively. That is grade four. Lower grades show increasing resistance but still allow some passive movement, so they don’t describe movement as effectively impossible.