Modified Ashworth Scale
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Top Contributors - Habibu Salisu Badamasi and Shreya Pavaskar
Objective[edit | edit source]
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) are used to assess spasticity.[1]
Intended Population[edit | edit source]
MAS have been utilized in the following populations: stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, pediatric hypertonia, and central nervous system lesions[2]
Method of Use[edit | edit source]
Description
its performed by extending the patients limb first from a position of maximal possible flexion to maximal possible extension ( the point at which the first soft resistance is met). Afterwards,the modified Ashworth scale is assessed while
moving from extension to flexion[3]
scoring
0 No increase in tone
1 slight increase in tone giving a catch when slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by the limb was moved in flexion or extension.
1+ slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch followed by minimal resistance throughout (ROM )
2 more marked increase in tone but more marked increased in muscle tone through most limb easily flexed
3 considerable increase in tone, passive movement difficult
4 limb rigid in flexion or extension
Reference[edit | edit source]
Studies that have investigated the reliability of the modified Ashworth Scale as measures of spasticity[4]
| Reference | Study details | Relevant results |
|---|---|---|
| Bohannon and Smith (1987)13 | Inter-rater reliability of the MAS. Muscles tested: elbow flexors in the impaired arm. Ns = 30 [MS (1), HI (5), CVA (24) ] Na = 2 [physiotherapist] The assessors independently assessed each subject once | 86.7% agreement between assessors (Kendall’s τ = 0.847; p <0.001) Cohen’s κ was calculated as 0.826a |
| Bodin and Morris (1991)48 | Inter-rater reliability of the MAS. Muscle tested: wrist flexors. Ns = 18 [CVA] Na = 2 [physiotherapist] The assessors independently assessed each subject under three different conditions (immediately after positioning, after a 90 s stretch of the flexors and after a 90 s stretch of the extensors). | 76% agreement between assessors (Kendall’s τ of 0.857) Cohen’s κ was calculated as 0.745a |
| Sloan et al. (1992)49 | Inter-rater reliability of the MAS. Muscles tested: elbow flexors and extensors, and knee flexors. Measurements taken bilaterally. Ns = 34 [hemiplegia] Na = 4 [physiotherapist (2), doctor (2) ] The assessors serially assessed each subject | Spearman’s ρ varied from 0.56 and 0.90 at the elbow and between 0.26 and 0.62 at the knee |
| Allison et al. (1996)50 | Inter- and Intra-rater reliability of the MAS. Muscles tested: ankle plantar flexors. Measurements were taken bilaterally. Day-1 of testing Ns = 30 [HI] Na = 2 [physiotherapist] Both testers assessed all subjects independently. Day-2 of testing Tester 1 assessed Ns = 21 subjects. | Day-1 Inter-rater reliability tester 1 and tester 2: 55% agreement (ρ = 0.727; τ = 0.647; κ = 0.397) Intra-rater reliability of tester 1: 53% agreement (ρ = 0.741; τ = 0.674; κ = 0.694) Intra-rater reliability of tester 2: 48% agreement (ρ = 0.550; τ = 0.478; κ = 0.286) Day-2 Intra-rater reliability of tester 1: 58% agreement (ρ = 0.821; τ = 0.739; κ 0.422) |
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Reliability[edit | edit source]
Interrater/Intrarater Reliability:
muscle tested; Elbow flexor and extensor and knee flexor in Hemiplegia patients
( Sloan et al. (1992)49 Measurements taken bilaterally. Ns = 34 [hemiplegia] Na = 4 [physiotherapist (2), doctor (2) ] The assessors serially assessed each subject)
- Spearman’s ρ varied from 0.56 and 0.90 at the elbow and between 0.26 and 0.62 at the knee
In daily practice the use of the Modified Ash-worth Scale procedure is quick and easy and is a common tool in the measurement of spasticity. Additionally,the Modified Ashworth Scale is widely used in research, In different patient groups such as stroke,multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, moderate to good intra-rater reliability and poor to moderate inter-rater reliability of the scale was found.[5]
Validity[edit | edit source]
Responsiveness[edit | edit source]
Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]
Links[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Charalambous CP. Interrater reliability of a modified Ashworth scale of muscle spasticity. InClassic papers in orthopaedics 2014 (pp. 415-417). Springer, London.
- ↑ Morris S. Ashworth and Tardieu Scales: Their clinical relevance for measuring spasticity in adult and paediatric neurological populations. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2002 Mar 1;7(1):53-62.
- ↑ Rw B, Smith MB. Interrater reliability of a modified Ashworth scale of muscle spasticity. Phys ther. 1987;67(2):206-7.
- ↑ Ad P, Johnson GR. Price CiM, Curless RH, Barnes MP, Rodgers H. A review of the properties and limitations of the Ashworth and modified Ashworth Scales as measures of spasticity. Clin Rehabil. 1999;13(5):373-83.
- ↑ Mehrholz J, Wagner K, Meißner D, Grundmann K, Zange C, Koch R, Pohl M. Reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale in adult patients with severe brain injury: a comparison study. Clinical rehabilitation. 2005 Nov;19(7):751-9.
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