Which measure directly assesses active range of motion?

Which measure directly assesses active range of motion?

• A. Goniometers
• B. AROM
• C. PROM
• D. Palpation

Answer: (B)

Active range of motion is the movement the patient can produce using their own muscles. To assess it directly, you have the patient perform the motion and observe how far they can move, noting any pain, substitutions, or weakness. AROM captures what the patient can actively achieve, which is different from methods that rely on someone else moving the joint or purely measuring angle with a tool. AROM contrasts with passive range of motion, where you move the joint for the patient while they relax, and with using a device like a goniometer, which quantifies ROM but doesn’t by itself determine the patient’s own active capability. Palpation isn’t a measure of motion.

Active range of motion is the movement the patient can produce using their own muscles. To assess it directly, you have the patient perform the motion and observe how far they can move, noting any pain, substitutions, or weakness. AROM captures what the patient can actively achieve, which is different from methods that rely on someone else moving the joint or purely measuring angle with a tool.

AROM contrasts with passive range of motion, where you move the joint for the patient while they relax, and with using a device like a goniometer, which quantifies ROM but doesn’t by itself determine the patient’s own active capability. Palpation isn’t a measure of motion.