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Protocol - NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

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Description

The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a physical assessment of the various symptoms associated with a stroke and consists of 11 categories. For each category, the test administrator asks the respondent to perform an activity or respond to stimuli. Respondents receive a score for each category based upon their ability to complete the activity or respond to the action. Each score typically ranges from 0 to 3. Each category of the NIHSS is designed to determine the respondent’s level of consciousness (LOC), visual, motor, or language ability.

Specific Instructions

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) provides a comprehensive interactive training DVD for the NIHSS. Information and purchasing details for this training are available on the NINDS website: www.ninds.nih.gov/doctors/stroke_scale_training.htm.

Availability

Available

Protocol

Interval:

[ ] Baseline

2[ ]hours post treatment

24[ ]hours post onset of symptoms ±20 minutes

7-10[ ]days

3[ ]months

[ ] Other________________________(_______________)

Time:_____________:________ [ ]am [ ]pm

Person Administering Scale:________________________________

Administer stroke scale items in the order listed. Record performance in each category after each subscale exam. Do not go back and change scores. Follow directions provided for each exam technique. Scores should reflect what the patient does, not what the clinician thinks the patient can do. The clinician should record answers while administering the exam and work quickly. Except where indicated, the patient should not be coached (i.e., repeated requests to patient to make a special effort).

Instructions

Scale Definition

Score

1a. Level of Consciousness: The investigator must choose a response if a full evaluation is prevented by such obstacles as an endotracheal tube, language barrier, orotracheal trauma/bandages. A 3 is scored only if the patient makes no movement (other than reflexive posturing) in response to noxious stimulation.

0 = Alert; keenly responsive.

1 = Not alert; but arousable by minor stimulation to obey, answer, or respond.

2 = Not alert; requires repeated stimulation to attend, or is obtunded and requires strong or painful stimulation to make movements (not stereotyped).

3 = Responds only with reflex motor or autonomic effects or totally unresponsive, flaccid, and areflexic.




____

1b. LOC Questions: The patient is asked the month and his/her age. The answer must be correct - there is no partial credit for being close. Aphasic and stuporous patients who do not comprehend the questions will score 2. Patients unable to speak because of endotracheal intubation, orotracheal trauma, severe dysarthria from any cause, language barrier, or any other problem not secondary to aphasia are given a 1. It is important that only the initial answer be graded and that the examiner not "help" the patient with verbal or non-verbal cues.

0 = Answers both questions correctly.

1 = Answers one question correctly.

2 = Answers neither question correctly.




____

1c. LOC Commands: The patient is asked to open and close the eyes and then to grip and release the non-paretic hand. Substitute another one step command if the hands cannot be used. Credit is given if an unequivocal attempt is made but not completed due to weakness. If the patient does not respond to command, the task should be demonstrated to him or her (pantomime), and the result scored (i.e., follows none, one or two commands). Patients with trauma, amputation, or other physical impediments should be given suitable one-step commands. Only the first attempt is scored.

0 = Performs both tasks correctly.

1 = Performs one task correctly.

2 = Performs neither task correctly.




____

2. Best Gaze: Only horizontal eye movements will be tested. Voluntary or reflexive (oculocephalic) eye movements will be scored, but caloric testing is not done. If the patient has a conjugate deviation of the eyes that can be overcome by voluntary or reflexive activity, the score will be 1. If a patient has an isolated peripheral nerve paresis (CN III, IV or VI), score a 1. Gaze is testable in all aphasic patients. Patients with ocular trauma, bandages, pre-existing blindness, or other disorder of visual acuity or fields should be tested with reflexive movements, and a choice made by the investigator. Establishing eye contact and then moving about the patient from side to side will occasionally clarify the presence of a partial gaze palsy.

0 = Normal.

1 = Partial gaze palsy; gaze is abnormal in one or both eyes, but forced deviation or total gaze paresis is not present.

2 = Forced deviation, or total gaze paresis not overcome by the oculocephalic maneuver.




____

3. Visual: Visual fields (upper and lower quadrants) are tested by confrontation, using finger counting or visual threat, as appropriate. Patients may be encouraged, but if they look at the side of the moving fingers appropriately, this can be scored as normal. If there is unilateral blindness or enucleation, visual fields in the remaining eye are scored. Score 1 only if a clear-cut asymmetry, including quadrantanopia, is found. If patient is blind from any cause, score 3. Double simultaneous stimulation is performed at this point. If there is extinction, patient receives a 1, and the results are used to respond to item 11.

0 = No visual loss.

1 = Partial hemianopia.

2 = Complete hemianopia.

3 = Bilateral hemianopia (blind including cortical blindness).




____

4. Facial Palsy: Ask - or use pantomime to encourage - the patient to show teeth or raise eyebrows and close eyes. Score symmetry of grimace in response to noxious stimuli in the poorly responsive or non-comprehending patient. If facial trauma/bandages, orotracheal tube, tape or other physical barriers obscure the face, these should be removed to the extent possible.

0 = Normal symmetrical movements.

1 = Minor paralysis (flattened nasolabial fold, asymmetry on smiling).

2 = Partial paralysis (total or near-total paralysis of lower face).

3 = Complete paralysis of one or both sides (absence of facial movement in the upper and lower face).




____

5. Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the appropriate position; extend the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxious stimulation. Each limb is tested in turn, beginning with the non-paretic arm. Only in the case of amputation or joint fusion at the shoulder, the examiner should record the score as untestable (UN) and clearly write the explanation for this choice.

0 = No drift; limb holds 90 (or 45) degrees for full 10 seconds.

1 = Drift; limb holds 90 (or 45) degrees, but drifts down before full 10 seconds; does not hit bed or other support.

2 = Some effort against gravity; limb cannot get to or maintain (if cued) 90 (or 45) degrees, drifts down to bed, but has some effort against gravity.

3 = No effort against gravity; limb falls.

4 = No movement.

UN = Amputation or joint fusion, explain: __________

5a. Left Arm

5b. Right Arm




Left

____




Right

____

6. Motor Leg: The limb is placed in the appropriate position: hold the leg at 30 degrees (always tested supine). Drift is scored if the leg falls before 5 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxious stimulation. Each limb is tested in turn, beginning with the non-paretic leg. Only in the case of amputation or joint fusion at the hip, the examiner should record the score as untestable (UN), and clearly write the explanation for this choice.

0 = No drift; leg holds 30-degree position for full 5 seconds.

1 = Drift; leg falls by the end of the 5-second period but does not hit bed.

2 = Some effort against gravity; leg falls to bed by 5 seconds, but has some effort against gravity.

3 = No effort against gravity; leg falls to bed immediately.

4 = No movement.

UN = Amputation or joint fusion, explain: __________

6a. Left Leg

6b. Right Leg




Left

____




Right

____

7. Limb Ataxia: This item is aimed at finding evidence of a unilateral cerebellar lesion. Test with eyes open. In case of visual defect, ensure testing is done in intact visual field. The finger-nose-finger and heel-shin tests are performed on both sides, and ataxia is scored only if present out of proportion to weakness. Ataxia is absent in the patient who cannot understand or is paralyzed. Only in the case of amputation or joint fusion, the examiner should record the score as untestable (UN), and clearly write the explanation for this choice. In case of blindness, test by having the patient touch nose from extended arm position.

0 = Absent.

1 = Present in one limb.

2 = Present in two limbs.

UN = Amputation or joint fusion, explain: __________




____

8. Sensory: Sensation or grimace to pinprick when tested, or withdrawal from noxious stimulus in the obtunded or aphasic patient. Only sensory loss attributed to stroke is scored as abnormal and the examiner should test as many body areas (arms [not hands], legs, trunk, face) as needed to accurately check for hemisensory loss. A score of 2, "severe or total sensory loss," should only be given when a severe or total loss of sensation can be clearly demonstrated. Stuporous and aphasic patients will, therefore, probably score 1 or 0. The patient with brainstem stroke who has bilateral loss of sensation is scored 2. If the patient does not respond and is quadriplegic, score patients in a coma (item 1a=3) are automatically given a 2 on this item.

0 = Normal; no sensory loss.

1 = Mild-to-moderate sensory loss; patient feels pinprick is less sharp or is dull on the affected side; or there is a loss of superficial pain with pinprick, but patient is aware of being touched.

2 = Severe to total sensory loss; patient is not aware of being touched in the face, arm, and leg.




____

9. Best Language: A great deal of information about comprehension will be obtained during the preceding sections of the examination. For this scale item, the patient is asked to describe what is happening in the attached picture, to name the items on the attached naming sheet and to read from the attached list of sentences. Comprehension is judged from responses here, as well as to all of the commands in the preceding general neurological exam. If visual loss interferes with the tests, ask the patient to identify objects placed in the hand, repeat, and produce speech. The intubated patient should be asked to write. The patient in a coma (item 1a=3) will automatically score 3 on this item. The examiner must choose a score for the patient with stupor or limited cooperation, but a score of 3 should be used only if the patient is mute and follows no one-step commands.

0 = No aphasia; normal.

1 = Mild-to-moderate aphasia; some obvious loss of fluency or facility of comprehension, without significant limitation on ideas expressed or form of expression.Reduction of speech and/or comprehension, however, makes conversation about provided materials difficult or impossible. For example, in conversation about provided materials, examiner can identify picture or naming card content from patient’s response.

2 = Severe aphasia; all communication is through fragmentary expression; great need for inference, questioning, and guessing by the listener. Range of information that can be exchanged is limited; listener carries burden of communication. Examiner cannot identify materials provided from patient response.

3 = Mute, global aphasia; no usable speech or auditory comprehension.




____

10. Dysarthria: If patient is thought to be normal, an adequate sample of speech must be obtained by asking patient to read or repeat words from the attached list. If the patient has severe aphasia, the clarity of articulation of spontaneous speech can be rated. Only if the patient is intubated or has other physical barriers to producing speech, the examiner should record the score as untestable (UN), and clearly write an explanation for this choice. Do not tell the patient why he or she is being tested.

0 = Normal.

1 = Mild-to-moderate dysarthria; patient slurs at least some words and, at worst, can be understood with some difficulty.

2 = Severe dysarthria; patient’s speech is so slurred as to be unintelligible in the absence of or out of proportion to any dysphasia, or is mute/anarthric.

UN = Intubated or other physical barrier, explain:




__________

11. Extinction and Inattention (formerly Neglect): Sufficient information to identify neglect may be obtained during the prior testing. If the patient has a severe visual loss preventing visual double simultaneous stimulation, and the cutaneous stimuli are normal, the score is normal. If the patient has aphasia but does appear to attend to both sides, the score is normal. The presence of visual spatial neglect or anosagnosia may also be taken as evidence of abnormality. Since the abnormality is scored only if present, the item is never untestable.

0 = No abnormality.

1 = Visual, tactile, auditory, spatial, or personal inattention or extinction to bilateral simultaneous stimulation in one of the sensory modalities.

2 = Profound hemi-inattention or extinction to more than one modality; does not recognize own hand or orients to only one side of space.




____

You know how.

Down to earth.

I got home from work.

Near the table in the dining room.

They heard him speak on the radio last night.

MAMA

TIP - TOP

FIFTY - FIFTY

THANKS

HUCKLEBERRY

BASEBALL PLAYER

Personnel and Training Required

Examiners must be trained to administer, score, and interpret the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) provides a comprehensive interactive training DVD for the NIHSS. Information and purchasing details for this training is available on the NINDS website: www.ninds.nih.gov/doctors/stroke_scale_training.htm

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Physical Examination

Lifestage

Adult

Participants

Adult, ages 18 years and older

Selection Rationale

The Sickle Cell Disease Neurology, Quality of Life, and Health Services Working Group selected the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) because it is a valid, reliable, and widely used comprehensive evaluation of the effects of a stroke. In addition, a pediatric version of the NIHSS (PedNIHSS; see Stroke Impact/Outcome-Pediatric) is available. By using the NIHSS and PedNIHSS, investigators can collect comparable data about stroke in both pediatric and adult populations.

Language

English

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Human Phenotype Ontology Sickle Cell Anemia ORPHA:232 HPO
Human Phenotype Ontology Anemia OMIM:603903 HPO
caDSR Form PhenX PX820801 - Nih Stroke Scale Nihss 6254292 caDSR Form
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Not applicable.

Protocol Name from Source

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Source

Brott, T., Adams, H. P., Olinger, C. P., Marler, J. R., Barsan, W.G., Biller, J., Spilker, J., Holleran, R., Eberle, R., Hertzberg, V., Rorick, M., Moomaw, C.J., & Walker, M. (1989). Measurements of acute cerebral infarction: A clinical examination scale. Stroke, 20, 864-870

National Institute of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2003). NIH stroke scale. Available at www.ninds.nih.gov/doctors/NIH_Stroke_Scale.pdf

General References

Inoa, V., Aron, A. W., Staff, I., Fortunato, G., & Sansing, L. H. (2014). Lower NIH stroke scale scores are required to accurately predict a good prognosis in posterior circulation stroke. Cerebrovascular Diseases 37(4), 251-255.

Schmülling, S., Grond, M., Rudolf, J., & Kiencke, P. (1998). Training as a prerequisite for reliable use of NIH Stroke Scale. Stroke 29(6), 1258-1259.

Wityk, R. J., Pessin, M. S., Kaplan, R. F., & Caplan, L. R. (1994). Serial assessment of acute stroke using the NIH Stroke Scale. Stroke, 25(2), 362-365.

Protocol ID

820801

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Administer_Name
PX820801030000 Person Administering Scale: more
___________________________ show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Best_Gaze
PX820801050000 Best Gaze: Only horizontal eye movements more
will be tested. Voluntary or reflexive (oculocephalic) eye movements will be scored, but caloric testing is not done. If the patient has a conjugate deviation of the eyes that can be overcome by voluntary or r show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Best_Language
PX820801120000 Best Language: A great deal of information more
about comprehension will be obtained during the preceding sections of the examination. For this scale item, the patient is asked to describe what is happening in the attached picture, to name the items on th show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Dysarthria
PX820801130100 Dysarthria: If patient is thought to be more
normal, an adequate sample of speech must be obtained by asking patient to read or repeat words from the attached list. If the patient has severe aphasia, the clarity of articulation of spontaneous speech can b show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Dysarthria_Explain
PX820801130200 Dysarthria: If patient is thought to be more
normal, an adequate sample of speech must be obtained by asking patient to read or repeat words from the attached list. If the patient has severe aphasia, the clarity of articulation of spontaneous speech can b show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Extinction_Inattention_Neglect
PX820801140000 Extinction and Inattention (formerly more
Neglect): Sufficient information to identify neglect may be obtained during the prior testing. If the patient has a severe visual loss preventing visual double simultaneous stimulation, and the cutaneous stimuli a show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Facial_Palsy
PX820801070000 Facial Palsy: Ask â€â₠more
œ or use pantomime to encourage – the patient to show teeth or raise eyebrows and close eyes. Score symmetry of grimace in response to noxious stimuli in the poorly responsive or non-comprehending patient. If facial trauma/banda show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Interval
PX820801010100 Interval N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Interval_Other
PX820801010200 Interval N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Level_Of_Consciousness
PX820801040100 Level of Consciousness: The investigator more
must choose a response if a full evaluation is prevented by such obstacles as an endotracheal tube, language barrier, orotracheal trauma/bandages. A 3 is scored only if the patient makes no movement (other tha show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Limb_Ataxia
PX820801100100 Limb Ataxia: This item is aimed at finding more
evidence of a unilateral cerebellar lesion. Test with eyes open. In case of visual defect, ensure testing is done in intact visual field. The finger-nose-finger and heel-shin tests are performed on both side show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Limb_Ataxia_Explain
PX820801100200 Limb Ataxia: This item is aimed at finding more
evidence of a unilateral cerebellar lesion. Test with eyes open. In case of visual defect, ensure testing is done in intact visual field. The finger-nose-finger and heel-shin tests are performed on both side show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_LOC_Commands
PX820801040300 LOC Commands: The patient is asked to open more
and close the eyes and then to grip and release the non-paretic hand. Substitute another one step command if the hands cannot be used. Credit is given if an unequivocal attempt is made but not completed due show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_LOC_Questions
PX820801040200 LOC Questions: The patient is asked the more
month and his/her age. The answer must be correct - there is no partial credit for being close. Aphasic and stuporous patients who do not comprehend the questions will score 2. Patients unable to speak because show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Arm
PX820801080000 Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position; extend the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voic show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Arm_Left
PX820801080101 Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position; extend the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voic show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Arm_Left_Explain
PX820801080102 Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position; extend the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voic show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Arm_Right
PX820801080201 Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position; extend the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voic show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Arm_Right_Explain
PX820801080202 Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position; extend the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voic show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Leg_Left
PX820801090101 Motor Leg: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position: hold the leg at 30 degrees (always tested supine). Drift is scored if the leg falls before 5 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxio show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Leg_Left_Explain
PX820801090102 Motor Leg: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position: hold the leg at 30 degrees (always tested supine). Drift is scored if the leg falls before 5 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxio show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Leg_Right
PX820801090201 Motor Leg: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position: hold the leg at 30 degrees (always tested supine). Drift is scored if the leg falls before 5 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxio show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Motor_Leg_Right_Explain
PX820801090202 Motor Leg: The limb is placed in the more
appropriate position: hold the leg at 30 degrees (always tested supine). Drift is scored if the leg falls before 5 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxio show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Sensory
PX820801110000 Sensory: Sensation or grimace to pinprick more
when tested, or withdrawal from noxious stimulus in the obtunded or aphasic patient. Only sensory loss attributed to stroke is scored as abnormal and the examiner should test as many body areas (arms [not han show less
N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Time
PX820801020100 Time hour N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Time_AM_PM
PX820801020200 Time am pm N/A
PX820801_StrokeImpactOutcomeAdults_Visual
PX820801060000 Visual: Visual fields (upper and lower more
quadrants) are tested by confrontation, using finger counting or visual threat, as appropriate. Patients may be encouraged, but if they look at the side of the moving fingers appropriately, this can be scored as show less
N/A
SCD Neurology, Quality of Life, and Health Services
Measure Name

Stroke Impact/Outcome

Release Date

July 30, 2015

Definition

This measure is a physical assessment to determine neurological deficits due to a stroke.

Purpose

This measure is used to describe the consequences of a stroke and to monitor the effects of treatment and recovery.

Keywords

NIH Stroke Scale, NIHSS, Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale, PedNIHSS, Stroke outcome, stroke, Level of Consciousness, LOC, Visual ability, Motor ability, Language ability, sickle cell disease, SCD, "Neurology, quality of life, and Health Services"

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
820801 NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
820802 Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS)
Publications

There are no publications listed for this protocol.