What Is the Ashworth Scale?

Muscles carry tension and tone. Some muscle groups have a higher tone than others. Spasticity is when the brain causes the normal tone on the muscles to lessen. A scale of assessing this is called the Ashworth scale. An important cause of neurological disability is spasticity.

What is Muscle Tone

Muscle tone is defined by the resistance of a muscle being stretched without resistance.

5-Point Scale

The Ashworth scale has 5 points that are easy to understand. They are: 1) no increase in muscle tone; 2) slight increase giving a catch when part is moved in flexion or extension; 3) more marked increase in tone but only after part is easily flexed; 4) considerable increase in tone; and 5) passive movement is difficult and affected part is rigid in flexion or extension.

Ashworth Scale

The Ashworth scale is one of the most widely used methods of measuring spasticity, due in a large part to the simplicity and reproducible method.

Modified to 6 Points

The Ashworth scale has been modified. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) has a 6-point scale that assists with stroke patients.

Modified Ashworth Scale

The MAS better measures muscle hypertonia instead of spasticity.

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