Therapeutic Exercise Benefits
It is only through goal setting that motivation can be enhanced. And once enhanced and developed, motivation rebuilds a person’s confidence and decreases his or her anxiety.
- Anxiety. Performance problems in an exercise program are due to increasing anxiety levels of the patient.
- Focus. An individual’s focus is very critical in an exercise program of the rehabilitation process. To maintain the person’s focus, the patient must pay attention on the following: (four P’s)
P – Positive attributes of the exercise program
P – Present time
P – Process and the things that are needed to be done daily to enhance one’s recovery
P – Progress while moving through the rehabilitation program
Nurse’s Role in Exercise Program
During a therapeutic exercise the nurse must focus his or her attention to the following:
- Modulating pain
- Restoring normal joint range of motion (ROM)
- Patient’s flexibility
- Muscular strength of the patient
- Coordination of patient
- Cardiovascular endurance and strength even on the unaffected limb
Before performing exercises the nurse must explain the procedure to the patient. Coordination of patient will never be achieved if he or she won’t have a clear understanding of the goal of the prescribed activity. To help a client adhere to the prescribed exercise program written instructions may be shown and given to the patient that includes the following data:
- Frequency
- Duration
- Number of repetitions
- Simple line of drawings about the execution of the exercise
Types of Exercises
- Passive
- Active Assistive
- Active Resistive
- Resistive
- Isometric
Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
