Table 1 Plain language description of the modified Rankin Scale
Modified Rankin Scale scorea | Scale | Description |
|---|---|---|
0–2 | Mild Disability or Better | • May have some mild symptoms of stroke, such as  - Weakness  - Numbness  - Changes in thinking or speaking • Able to live on their own and manage daily activities (bathing, shopping, preparing or getting meals and managing finances) |
3 | Moderate Disability | • Not able to do all of the activities they could do before the stroke • May have difficulty thinking or speaking • May need help with some daily activities (bathing, shopping, preparing or getting meals, managing finances) • Able to walk without help from another person, but may need a cane or a walker |
4 | Moderately Severe Disability | • Need help with some daily activities (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting) • May have more severe difficulty thinking or speaking • Not able to walk without help from another person • May need a wheelchair • Not able to live alone |
5 | Severe Disability | • Need help with most or all activities (eating, bathing, walking) • Not able to sit up in bed without help • Not able to move from a bed to a chair without help • Do not have full control of bladder or bowel function • Not able to live alone • Need constant nursing care and usually live in a long-term nursing facility |