2 Range of Motion Assessment and Interventions
Gabe Byars, OTR/L; Caitlyn Bone, OTAS; and Jillian Brinton, OTAS
Background
All daily life occupations require that a person has a range of motion that is within functional limits. Having a range of motion deficit can impact even the simplest life tasks. Range of motion can be impacted by injury and non-use, but can be remediated through skilled stretching overseen by an occupational therapy professional.
These videos cover how, as an OT or OTA, you can improve and measure your client’s range of motion. You will learn how to use a goniometer, which is a tool that measures a joint’s range of motion. You will also learn about passive range of motion, which is the stretch that the OT performs. And, you will learn about the generalization of movements to be applied to active, active assisted, or self-range of motion.
Measuring Range of Motion
This video explains which size of goniometer to use for a joint. And it demonstrates how to use and read the goniometer on a functional skeleton and the human body.
Video is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Measuring Range of Motion Video Transcript
Measuring Range of Motion Tips
- Goniometer is a tool designed to measure range of motion.
- A goniometer is composed of the following:
- Axis
- Moveable arm
- Stationary arm
- Procedure
- Place the client in a comfortable position with the extremity to be assessed accessible to the OT practitioner.
- Center the fulcrum (axis) of the goniometer with the center of the joint to be measured. This will be different for every joint and movement.
- Align the stationary arm of the device with the limb being measured.
- Hold the arms of the goniometer in place while the joint is moved through the range of motion.
- Move the goniometer’s movable arm and line it up with the appropriate body part.
- Read and record the goniometer’s numbers.
Range of Motion Interventions
This video explains stretching to improve range of motion, passive shoulder range of motion, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching.
Video is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Range of Motion Interventions Video Transcript
Range of Motion Intervention Tips
- Types of Range of Motion Interventions
- Active range of motion (AROM)
- Active assisted range of motion (AAROM)
- Passive range of motion (PROM)
- Self range of motion (SROM)
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching
- Functional stretching
- Principles of Range of Motion Interventions
- Pay attention to planes of movement, joint biomechanics, and joint alignment.
- Go slow.
- Use a slow, gradual force: a low load force.
- Prolong your holds to at least sixty seconds.
- Don’t force a stretch: residual pain indicates that the stretching was too forceful and resulted in tearing soft tissues or blood vessels.
- Principles of PNF Stretching
- Hold-relax: Conduct PROM to end range. Isometrically contract the muscle being stretched. Relax. Advance PROM to a new end range.
- Hold-relax with agonist contraction. Conduct AROM to end range. Isometrically contract the muscle being stretched. Relax. Advance AROM to a new end range.
