In patients who cannot exercise actively, passive exercise, to prevent joint stiffness and muscle contracture, is used. Passive exercises have the benefit of maitaining the existing joint range and preventing the further deterioration in the range loss due to immobility. Although the splints have the benefits of preserving the existing range, yet exercise have their own benefits and these are

Adhesion formation is prevented and the present free range is maintained. One passive movement, well given and at frequent intervals, is sufficient for this purpose, but the usual practice is to put the joint through two movements twice daily.

When active movement is impossible due to inactivity, these movements may help to preserve the memory of movement patterns by stimulating the receptors of kineasthetic sensation.

When full range active joint movement is impossible, the extensibility of muscle is maintained, and adaptive shortening is prevented.

The venous and lymphatic return may be assisted slightly by mechanical pressure and by the stretching of the thin walled vessels which pass across the joint moved. Relatively quick rhythmical and continued passive movements are required for this. They are used in conjunction of the elevation of the part to relieve oedema when the patient is unable unwilling to perform sufficient exercise.

The rhythm of the passive continued movements can have a soothing effect and indue furtehr relaxation.