UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Neurology

Title: Motor Component of GCS

Keywords: gcs, glasgow coma scale, motor function (PubMed Search)

Posted: 1/28/2009 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 10/10/2024)
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  • Motor function is one of the three neurologic responses assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
  • This response is scored on a scale of 1 to 6, 6 being the best score:          
    • 6 = Obeys commands (does simple things as asked). 
    • 5 = Localizes to pain (purposeful movements towards  painful timuli; e.g., hand crosses mid-line and gets above clavicle when supra-orbital pressure applied).
    • 4 = Flexion/Withdrawal to pain (flexion of elbow, supination of forearm, flexion of wrist when supra-orbital pressure applied. (i.e. pulls part of body away when nailbed pinched)).
    • 3 = Abnormal flexion to pain (adduction of arm, internal rotation of shoulder, pronation of forearm, flexion of wrist, decorticate response).
    • 2 = Extension to pain (adduction of arm, internal rotation of shoulder,pronation of forearm, extension of wrist, decerebrate response).
    • 1 = No motor response.