NPTEFF Important Scales & Outcome Measures

ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS)

Grades A-E classifying spinal cord injury completeness, from A (complete, no sensory/motor in S4-S5) to E (normal).

Modified Ashworth Scale

Measures spasticity and increased muscle tone on a scale from 0 (no increase) to 4 (rigid).

Functional Independence Measure (FIM)

Scores the level of assistance needed for functional activities from 1 (total assistance) to 7 (independent).

Berg Balance Scale

Assesses balance via 14 tasks scored 0-4 (max 56); scores under 45 indicate increased fall risk.

Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

Measures physical performance and motor recovery, particularly in patients with hemiplegia after stroke (max score 226).

Functional Reach Test

Assesses standing balance and fall risk by measuring maximum forward reach distance with a fixed base of support.

Romberg Test

Evaluates balance with eyes open versus closed; a positive result with eyes closed indicates a sensory or vestibular deficit.

Timed Up and Go (TUG)

Assesses mobility, balance, and fall risk; times over 30 seconds indicate impaired mobility and high fall risk.

Tinetti / POMA

Assesses balance and gait fall risk in older adults; max score 28, with scores under 19 indicating high risk.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Measures level of consciousness via Eye (4), Verbal (5), and Motor (6) responses; scores of 8 or less indicate severe brain injury.

Rancho Los Amigos Levels

Classifies cognitive and behavioral recovery after brain injury across 8 levels from no response (I) to purposeful-appropriate (VIII).

Hoehn & Yahr

Classifies Parkinson's disease severity from Stage I (unilateral) to Stage V (bed/wheelchair bound).

Manual Muscle Testing Grades

Grading scale from 0 (no contraction) to 5 (normal/strong resistance), with 3 representing full range of motion against gravity.

Joint Mobilization Grades

Maitland Grades I-V ranging from small/large amplitude oscillations within or at the end range to Grade V high-velocity thrust.

Salter-Harris Classification

Classifies pediatric epiphyseal plate fractures using the SALTER mnemonic (Straight across, Above, Lower, Through, Everything crushed).

Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

Measures how low back pain affects everyday functional disability on a percentage scale from minimal to bed-bound.

Neck Disability Index (NDI)

Assesses functional disability related to neck pain across 10 items covering ADLs, pain, and concentration.

Blood Pressure Classification

Categorizes BP from Normal (

Angina Scale

Rates chest pain severity from 0 (no angina) to 4 (most severe).

Pulse Strength Grades

Grades peripheral pulses from 0 (absent) and 1+ (diminished) to 2+ (normal) up to 4+ (bounding).

Pitting Edema Grades

Measures peripheral edema from 1+ (barely detectable) to 4+ (lasts >30 seconds).

Intermittent Claudication Scale

Grades ischemic leg pain severity from Grade I (initial mild discomfort) to Grade IV (excruciating/unbearable).

Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)

Evaluates acid-base balance with normal values: pH 7.35-7.45, PaCO₂ 35-45 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 22-26 mEq/L.

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)

Assesses arterial disease severity by comparing ankle and arm systolic pressures; values below 0.50 indicate severe disease.

COPD GOLD Stages

Classifies COPD severity into Stages 1-4 based on FEV₁ percentage thresholds with an FEV₁/FVC ratio under 70%.

NYHA Heart Failure Classes

Classifies heart failure functional limitation from Class I (no limitation) to Class IV (symptoms at rest).

ACC/AHA Heart Failure Stages

Classifies heart failure progression from Stage A (at risk) to Stage D (refractory HF requiring specialized intervention).

Borg RPE Scale

Rates perceived exertion from 6 to 20, where multiplying by 10 roughly estimates heart rate.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Categorizes weight status from Underweight (

Wagner Diabetic Ulcer Classification

Classifies diabetic foot ulcers from Grade 0 (no open ulcer) to Grade 5 (gangrene of the entire foot).

Norton & Gosnell Scales

Norton assesses physical/mental condition, activity, mobility, and incontinence; Gosnell refines it by adding nutrition, skin, fluid, and medication factors.

Braden Scale

Assesses pressure ulcer risk across 6 categories: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.

APGAR Score

Evaluates newborn transition at birth via Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (scored 0-10).

Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)

Classifies gross motor function in cerebral palsy from Level I (walks without restrictions) to Level V (severely limited self-mobility).

AIMS and PDMS Infant Motor Scales

AIMS observes infant gross motor maturation; PDMS is a standardized test of 6 developmental motor skill areas in children birth-5 years.

WeeFIM

Measures functional independence and need for assistance in children using a developmental context.