Muscle Testing Table
Muscle and Range of Motion Testing guidelines have recently been clarified in the AMA CPT Assistant. “Given the subjective aspect of manual testing, the use of consistent test positions, including accurate joint placement and avoiding the use of compensatory muscle actions, must be integrated into the test in order for MMT to be utilized as an effective evaluation tool.” -AMA CPT Assistant, August 2013
The following table should be used as a standard for Manual Muscle Testing procedures:
Table 1. Manual Muscle Testing Procedures
| Key to Muscle Grading | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function of the Muscle | Grade | |||
| No Movement | No contractions felt in the muscle | 0 | 0 | Zero |
| Tendon becomes prominent or feeble contraction felt in the muscle, but no visible movement of the part | T | 1 | Trace | |
| Test Movement | MOVEMENT IN HORIZONTAL PLANE | |||
| Moves through partial range of motion | 1 | 2- | Poor- | |
| Moves through complete range of motion | 2 | 2 | Poor | |
| ANTIGRAVITY POSITION | 3 | 2+ | ||
| Moves through partial range of motion | ||||
| Test Position | Gradual release from test position | 4 | 3- | Fair- |
| Holds test position (no added pressure) | 5 | 3 | Fair | |
| Holds test position against slight pressure | 6 | 3+ | Fair+ | |
| Holds test position against slight to moderate pressure | 7 | 4- | Good- | |
| Holds test position against moderate pressure | 8 | 4 | Good | |
| Holds test position against moderate to strong pressure | 9 | 4+ | Good+ | |
| Holds test position against strong pressure | 10 | 5 | Normal | |
| Modified from 1993 Florence P. Kendall. Author grants permission to reproduce this chart. | ||||
From: NIEHS [National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences]. IMACS [International Myostitis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group] FORM 04: Manual Muscle Testing Procedures. Available www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/assets/docs/muscle_grading_and_testing_procedures.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2013.