aROM

AROM is an acronym that can refer to several different terms across diverse fields. Because acronyms are often context-dependent, there is no single universally accepted definition of AROM. This article summarizes the most common and general uses, while noting that meanings can vary by domain.

In medical and rehabilitation contexts, AROM most commonly stands for Active Range of Motion. This term describes the amount of joint movement a person can initiate and perform using their own muscular effort, without external assistance. AROM is a standard measure in physical therapy, sports medicine, and postoperative care to assess functional mobility and track progress. It is typically compared with passive range of motion (PROM), where movement is produced by an examiner or device rather than by the patient.

Beyond medicine, AROM can appear as an acronym for organizations, products, or technical concepts specific to a field, and such uses are not standardized. Because the exact meaning depends on context, readers should consult the surrounding text or source to determine what AROM denotes in a given instance.

See also: Active range of motion, Range of motion, Disambiguation of acronyms.