What does passive range of motion (PROM) involve?

Passive range of motion (PROM) specifically refers to the movement of a joint through its range of motion by an external force without the patient actively participating in the movement. In this approach, the clinician or therapist manually moves the patient's limb or joint to facilitate movement. This method is essential for maintaining joint flexibility and preventing stiffness, especially in patients who may be unable to perform these movements on their own due to injury, surgery, or other conditions.

The other options illustrate different scenarios of mobility and exercise that are not reflective of PROM. For instance, when the patient performs the motion independently, it describes active range of motion (AROM), where the individual's own muscle contractions are involved. Similarly, when a patient is fully engaged in the exercise or equipment assists with motion, these concepts diverge from the definition of PROM, where external assistance is required without patient muscular involvement.