The Hoehn and Yahr scale is a system
commonly used for describing, in broad terms, how Parkinson’s symptoms progress
and the relative level of disability. It was originally published in 1967 in
the journal Neurology by Melvin Yahr and Margaret Hoehn, and included
stages one to five. Since then, stage 0 has been added and stages 1.5 and 2.5
have been proposed and are widely used.
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Stage 0 - no signs of disease
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Stage 1 - symptoms on one side
only (unilateral)
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Stage 1.5 – symptoms unilateral
and also involving the neck and spine
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Stage 2 – symptoms on both sides
(bilateral) but no impairment of balance
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Stage 2.5 - mild bilateral symptoms
with recovery when the ‘pull’ test is given (the doctor stands behind the
person and asks them to maintain their balance when pulled backwards)
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Stage 3 - balance impairment.
Mild to moderate disease. Physically independent
-
Stage 4 - severe disability, but
still able to walk or stand unassisted
-
Stage 5 - needing a wheelchair
or bedridden unless assisted.
For full details of
the original publication see: Parkinsonism: onset, progression, and mortality -
Margaret M. Hoehn and Melvin D. Yahr
