The Hand Movement Scale (HMS) can be used at various intervals after a stroke. It can help to predict good hand movement and function after recovery. The authors are from Royal South Sydney Hospital, St. George Hospital, Sutherland Hospital and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.
Finger Movements
Scale
able to oppose the thumb to all fingers
6
able to oppose the thumb with the index finger only
5
able to extend the index finger while keeping all of the other fingers in flexion (fist)
4
active flexion and extension of all fingers in synergy
3
active flexion of all fingers in synergy only
2
no active movement in fingers
1
A score of 4, 5 or 6 was considered "good" for hand movements.
The HMS may be combined with hand function tasks:
(1) pick up and release a one half-inch cylinder
(2) pick up a match box
(3) rotate a match box held in the hand
(4) open and close a 10-cm safety pin with the affected hand
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