Which statement describes MAS 2?

Which statement describes MAS 2?

• A. Absence of increased tone.
• B. Slight increase in tone; catch-and-release.
• C. More marked increase in tone; limb moves easily; resistance throughout most of range.
• D. Considerable increase in tone; passive movement difficult.

Answer: (C)

This item tests how the Modified Ashworth Scale describes a moderate but not severe increase in muscle tone during passive movement. On MAS, a score of two means a more marked increase in tone through most of the range, yet the limb remains easy to move overall. In other words, you can move the limb, but you feel noticeable resistance that is present across much of the motion, not just at a single point, and it is not so severe that movement is impossible. This distinguishes it from zero (no increase in tone) and from one or one-plus (slight tone increase with a catch or minimal resistance). It’s also less severe than three or four, where movement becomes difficult or the limb is rigid. So the statement describing a clear, noticeable tone increase across most of the range while the limb still moves readily aligns with MAS 2.

This item tests how the Modified Ashworth Scale describes a moderate but not severe increase in muscle tone during passive movement. On MAS, a score of two means a more marked increase in tone through most of the range, yet the limb remains easy to move overall. In other words, you can move the limb, but you feel noticeable resistance that is present across much of the motion, not just at a single point, and it is not so severe that movement is impossible. This distinguishes it from zero (no increase in tone) and from one or one-plus (slight tone increase with a catch or minimal resistance). It’s also less severe than three or four, where movement becomes difficult or the limb is rigid. So the statement describing a clear, noticeable tone increase across most of the range while the limb still moves readily aligns with MAS 2.