What does a Modified Ashworth Scale score of 0 indicate?

• A. Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch and release or by minimal resistance at the end of the ROM when the affected part(s) is moved in flexion or extension
• B. Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch, followed by minimal resistance throughout the remainder (less than half) of the ROM
• C. More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affected part(s) easily moved
• D. No increase in muscle tone

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that the Modified Ashworth Scale measures how much resistance you feel when passively moving a limb to assess spasticity. A score of zero means there is no increase in muscle tone—the limb moves through its range with normal, expected resistance and no catch or extra resistance.

If you hear descriptions like a catch at end range or resistance that lasts through part or most of the movement, those indicate some level of tone increase and correspond to higher MAS scores, not zero. So the statement that describes no increase in muscle tone best matches a MAS of zero. Keep in mind the scale is a clinical, somewhat subjective measure used to track changes over time and with therapy.