What are passive range of motion exercises?
Range of motion exercises are also called “ROM” exercises. ROM exercises may be active or passive. Active ROM is done when a person can do the exercises by himself. Active-assisted ROM exercises are done by the person and a helper. Passive ROM exercises are done for a person by a helper. The helper does the ROM exercises because the person cannot do them by himself. Do not do passive ROM exercises on a person without first talking to the person’s caregiver. Together you can decide what exercise plan is best for the person. Why is it important to do passive ROM exercises? ROM exercises are very important if you have to stay in bed or in a wheelchair. ROM exercises help keep your joints and muscles as healthy as possible. Without these exercises, blood flow and flexibility (moving and bending) of your joints can decrease. Joints, such as your knees and elbows, could become stiff and locked without ROM exercises. Passive ROM exercises help keep joint areas flexible, but do not build up mu
