Takeaway
While the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) broadly associates with domain-specific outcomes in patients after stroke, it is unable to precisely distinguish between phenotypes, nor is it able to capture clinically meaningful changes in impairment, motor function or daily activities.
Why this matters
The mRS is an easy-to-administer and reliable measure of patient function encompassing a range of clinically relevant outcomes.
While mRS has been considered the gold standard endpoint in stroke clinical trials, it can lack granularity and precision to detect meaningful change; understanding the limitations of mRS in specific outcomes is required to apply its use most effectively and appropriately in clinical trials.