Medical Research Council scale -abbreviated from: Medical Research Council; Memorandum Number 45. Aids to the Examination of the Peripheral Nervous System. London, England: HM Stationery; 1976.
Grade 0 = no contraction
Grade 1 = flicker or trace of contraction
Grade 2 = active movement with gravity eliminated
Grade 3 = active movement against gravity
Grade 4 = active movement against gravity and resistance
Grade 5 = normal power
ASIA MUSCLE GRADING Scale
Grade 0 total paralysis
Grade 1 palpable or visible contraction
Grade 2 active movement, full range of motion, gravity eliminated
Grade 3 active movement, full range of motion, against gravity
Grade 4 active movement, full range of motion, against gravity and provides some resistance
Grade 5 active movement, full range of motion, against gravity and provides normal resistance
Grade 5* muscle able to exert, in examiner’s judgement, sufficient resistance to be considered normal if identifiable inhibiting factors were not present
NT not testable. Patient unable to reliably exert effort or muscle unavailable for testing due to factors such as immobilization, pain on effort or contracture.
