This rating system has been largely supplanted by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), which is much more complicated.
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Stage 1
- Signs and symptoms on one side only
- Symptoms mild
- Symptoms inconvenient but not disabling
- Usually presents with tremor of one limb
- Friends have noticed changes in posture, locomotion and facial expression
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Stage 2
- Symptoms are bilateral
- Minimal disability
- Posture and gait affected
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Stage Three
- Significant slowing of body movements
- Early impairment of equilibrium on walking or standing
- Generalized dysfunction that is moderately severe
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Stage Four
- Severe symptoms Can still walk to a limited extent
- Rigidity and bradykinesia
- No longer able to live alone
- Tremor may be less than earlier stages
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Stage Five
- Cachectic stage
- Invalidism complete
- Cannot stand or walk
- Requires constant nursing care
