MRC Sum Score (ICU-Acquired Weakness)
MRC sum score (Kleyweg 1991): manual-muscle-test grades 0-5 across six bilateral muscle groups (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle); the 0-60 sum < 48 defines ICU-acquired weakness.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Shoulder abduction, left
- 4
- Shoulder abduction, right
- 4
- Elbow flexion, left
- 4
- Elbow flexion, right
- 4
- Wrist extension, left
- 4
- Wrist extension, right
- 4
- Hip flexion, left
- 4
- Hip flexion, right
- 4
- Knee extension, left
- 4
- Knee extension, right
- 4
The other 2 values
- Ankle dorsiflexion, left
- 4
- Ankle dorsiflexion, right
- 4
Result: MRC sum 48/60: at or above 48 -- ICU-acquired weakness is not met (< 48 threshold).
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- Scale
- six movements graded bilaterally (12 muscle groups), each 0-5 on the MRC scale, for a sum of 0-60.
- Threshold
- a sum below 48 defines ICU-acquired weakness; below 36 is severe.
What you enter
- Shoulder abduction, left (0-5)
- Shoulder abduction, right (0-5)
- Elbow flexion, left (0-5)
- Elbow flexion, right (0-5)
- Wrist extension, left (0-5)
- Wrist extension, right (0-5)
- Hip flexion, left (0-5)
- Hip flexion, right (0-5)
- Knee extension, left (0-5)
- Knee extension, right (0-5)
The other 2 fields
- Ankle dorsiflexion, left (0-5)
- Ankle dorsiflexion, right (0-5)
How this is calculated
De Jonghe B, Sharshar T, Lefaucheur JP, et al. Paresis acquired in the intensive care unit: a prospective multicenter study. JAMA. 2002;288(22):2859-2867. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.