How does ROM measurement differ between PROM, AAROM, and AROM?

• A. AAROM is movement by the therapist only; PROM is patient; AROM is active
• B. PROM is movement performed by the clinician; AAROM is movement with some patient assistance; AROM is full movement produced by the patient without external help.
• C. PROM is active; AAROM is resisted by therapist; AROM is passive
• D. AROM is movement performed by patient with external resistance; PROM and AAROM are the same

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who moves the joint and how much help is involved during ROM testing. In passive ROM, the clinician moves the limb entirely, with the patient not using their muscles. In active-assisted ROM, the patient can move a portion themselves but needs some help to reach the end range. In active ROM, the patient moves the limb through the full range using their own muscles, with no external help.

The best answer says PROM is movement performed by the clinician, AAROM is movement with some patient assistance, and AROM is full movement produced by the patient without external help. This aligns with how ROM values are interpreted: PROM reflects the joint’s potential range without muscle involvement, AAROM shows the range the patient can achieve with partial assistance, and AROM demonstrates what the patient can move independently. If a joint has a larger PROM than AROM, it suggests some weakness or inhibition but preserved joint mobility; if AAROM is closer to PROM, the patient can contribute more of the effort with help; if AROM approaches PROM, strength and control are relatively good.

The other descriptions mix up who provides the movement or the nature of the assistance, which doesn’t fit how these ROM measurements are defined.