This video demonstrates how to perform passive range of motion (ROM) exercises on the shoulder—a fundamental skill in clinical practice. In healthcare, assessing and promoting ROM serves several vital purposes:

• Restores and maintains joint mobility: ROM exercises prevent stiffness and maintain flexibility, especially important in patients recovering from shoulder injuries, surgery, or prolonged immobilization.

• Facilitates pain reduction and healing: Gentle and controlled movement helps enhance blood circulation, reduce swelling, and improve tissue healing—central to rehabilitation and comfort.

• Provides objective functional assessment: Clinicians measure ROM to establish baselines, set therapeutic goals, and monitor progress, guiding care plans effectively.

• Supports safe patient care: Proper technique ensures patient safety—respecting pain thresholds, using supportive hand placement, and controlling movement to avoid joint strain or injury.

1. Preparation & Hand Hygiene

• Read and follow the Care Plan, the whole Care Plan, and nothing but the Care Plan.
• Knock and announce yourself before entering.
• Greet the Resident by name and introduce yourself.
• Explain the task to the Resident and ensure their comfort and consent.
• Close the Privacy Curtain
• Wash your hands thoroughly before beginning.
• Assess Glove Rules (Are Gloves required for this Resident?)

2. Positioning Resident

• Ensure Resident is lying flat in the center of the Bed. 
• Describe movement to Resident
• Ask Resident to notify you of any pain or discomfort throughout. 
• Stay vigilant for un-vocalized signs of pain throughout:
  • Wincing
  • Sharp Breaths
  • Grunts

3. Exercising the Resident

• Support Resident’s Arm from below at the elbow.
• DO NOT “grab” Resident’s Arm from above. 
• Slowly and smoothly bend Resident’s Arm in towards their Shoulder. (Flexion/Extension)
  • Motion similar to Flexing your Arm.
• Repeat two more times.
• Once complete, return Resident’s Arm to the starting position.
• Supporting Resident’s Arm at the elbow with the bed, supporting the Resident at the wrist,   slowly and smoothly, move their hand all the way forward and backward. (Flexion/Hypertension)
  • Similar to revving a motorcycle.
• Slowly and Smoothly return Resident’s hand to the starting position. 
• Repeat two more times. 
• Ask Resident about discomfort throughout.
• Return Resident’s Arm to the bed.

4. Address Resident Comfort 

• Ensure Resident is comfortable.
• Ask about Resident needs and preferences.
• Provide Resident with Call light.
• Open the Privacy curtain
• Ensure bed is in lowest position.
• Thoroughly wash your hands.
• Think about the Steps of your Skill. Make any corrections. Tell the evaluator your Skills is complete.

• Not reading and following the Care Plan, the whole Care Plan, and nothing but the Care Plan.
• Not describing Skill to the Resident
• Moving in a quick or forceful manner
• Grabbing Resident’s extremities from above. 
• Not supporting Resident’s extremities at the joints. 
• Not asking Resident about discomfort or pain throughout. 
• Ignoring signs of Resident discomfort or pain throughout. 
• Not following proper Resident Hygiene and Infection Control
• Not completing the correct number of Repetitions.
• Not completing the proper Range of Motion Exercise.
• Not Exercising the correct side of Resident. 
• Not Exercising the correct Body part.
• Not providing Resident with the Call Light. 
• Not ensuring bed is left in the lowest position.