Which MAS grade is described as 'Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult'?

• A. No increase in muscle tone
• B. Slight increase in muscle tone with a catch
• C. More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but easily moved
• D. Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult

Answer: (D)

This item tests how the Modified Ashworth Scale characterizes higher levels of spasticity. The phrase describes a situation where muscle tone is considerably increased and moving the limb passively becomes difficult, but not completely rigid. That aligns with the MAS description for a grade where tone is notably high yet some movement is still possible, which is grade 3 on the scale. In contrast, grade 0 is no increase, grade 1 is a slight increase with a catch, grade 2 is more marked through most of the range but movements are still relatively easy, and grade 4 describes rigid, unmovable tone. Therefore, the description matches MAS grade 3.