The reflex exam is fundamental to the neurological exam and important to locating upper versus lower motor neuron lesions. There are five deep tendon reflexes and a number of superficial and visceral …

May 26, 2023 · Deep tendon reflexes are graded on a scale of zero to four. A score of zero indicates no response, while a score of four indicates a brisk, hyperactive response.

Nov 13, 2025 · The standard scale for deep tendon reflex (DTR) grading is the NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Myotatic Reflex Scale, which has demonstrated substantial to …

Nov 29, 2025 · A standardized scale is used to assign a grade to the observed reflex response, ensuring consistent interpretation across practitioners. The involuntary muscle response observed during a …

Dec 15, 2025 · Lookup how to assess the deep tendon reflexes, their arcs, and how to interpret expected and abnormal responses

Aug 28, 2023 · To provide a standard scale for evaluating deep tendon reflexes, in 1993, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) proposed a grading scale from 0 to 4. [2]

Clinicians use a standardized 5-point scale to grade deep tendon reflex responses, providing a consistent way to document and interpret findings. A grade of 0 indicates no reflex response. A 1+ …

The 0 to 4+ deep tendon reflex scoring system is a simple yet powerful clinical tool for evaluating neurological health. It allows healthcare providers to detect, localize, and assess the severity of …

Oct 17, 2025 · Deep tendon reflexes are assessed with the target muscle/ tendon on slight stretch and relaxed. The patient should be instructed to look away from the target site. The tendon should be …

Note the reflex response's speed, force, and amplitude and grade the response using the following 0 to 4 scale. Always compare the response of one side with the other.