What is the role of passive activities in rehabilitation

  Passive exercise is a therapeutic activity performed by a physician on the limb of a hemiplegic patient and is usually started as early as possible after the onset of hemiplegia. This is because passive activities can: 1. increase the tension of the central nervous system and prevent the decline of the whole body physiological functions caused by long-term bed rest.  2.Activate the blood circulation of the paralyzed limbs and stimulate the neurotrophic function, so as to prevent or reduce the disuse atrophy of muscles, bones and skin, and stretch the spastic muscles, maintain the normal extension of joint ligaments and prevent joint deformity contracture.  3. It can activate the synapses in the dormant state of the brain, and the synapses germinate, regenerate, and promote the reorganization of brain functions. It can be seen that early passive activity of the affected limb is beneficial to the recovery of paralyzed limb function. In order to restore the extension of the muscles, the passive activity should be gradually transitioned from individual joint activities to joint activities. The passive movement should be gentle and soft, because fast stretching often stimulates the stretch reflex and aggravates the spasm, and rough stretching may cause soft tissue damage or bone and joint dislocation and joint pain.