Which statement describes MAS 2?

Which statement describes MAS 2?

• A. Detects absence of increased muscle tone.
• B. Detects slight increase in muscle tone; catch-and-release or minimal resistance felt at end of range.
• C. Detects more marked increase in tone, but limb still moves easily; resistance throughout most of range.
• D. Detects considerable increase in tone; passive movement difficult.

Answer: (C)

Mass grading of spasticity using the Modified Ashworth Scale assesses how much resistance there is to passive movement. The key idea is how much tone is present and how easily the limb can be moved. MAS 2 describes a more marked increase in muscle tone, but the limb still moves easily, with resistance present through most of the range. It’s stronger than a mild catch at the end of range (MAS 1) and softer than situations where movement becomes difficult or the limb is rigid (MAS 3 or 4). So this statement captures a level of tone that’s noticeably increased yet not so severe that passive movement is hard to perform.

Mass grading of spasticity using the Modified Ashworth Scale assesses how much resistance there is to passive movement. The key idea is how much tone is present and how easily the limb can be moved.

MAS 2 describes a more marked increase in muscle tone, but the limb still moves easily, with resistance present through most of the range. It’s stronger than a mild catch at the end of range (MAS 1) and softer than situations where movement becomes difficult or the limb is rigid (MAS 3 or 4). So this statement captures a level of tone that’s noticeably increased yet not so severe that passive movement is hard to perform.