AAROM

AAROM stands for active assisted range of motion. It is a rehabilitation technique in which a patient actively moves a joint, but with external assistance to complete or extend the motion beyond what the patient can achieve unaided. It lies between active range of motion (AROM), where the patient performs the full movement independently, and passive range of motion (PROM), where an examiner or device moves the joint without patient muscle activation.

In practice, the patient initiates the movement and activates muscles, while an assistant—such as a therapist, caregiver, or mechanical device—provides partial movement, support, or resistance to achieve the desired ROM. The assistance can be graded to gradually reduce dependence as the strength improves. AAROM is commonly used after injury or surgery to maintain joint mobility, prevent contractures, promote circulation, and begin neuromuscular re-education while protecting healing tissues. Examples include using a pulley system or manual cueing to assist elbow flexion, applying a light band or weight to augment shoulder abduction, or manual support during knee flexion.

Progression typically moves from AAROM toward full AROM and gradually toward resisted ROM as strength returns. ROM should be measured in degrees and guided by clinical goals, patient tolerance, and healing status. Safety considerations include avoiding pain, protecting surgical repairs, and ensuring proper technique to minimize compensatory movements.