Effects of Continuous Passive Motion, Walking, and a Placebo Intervention on Physical and Psychological Weil-being

To investigate claims that continuous passive motion tables improve physiological and psychological well-being, 94 healthy women were assigned randomly to 12-week programs involving a placebo-control meeting, unsupervised walking, continuous passive motion, and continuous passive motion plus diet. Program outcomes were assessed by analysis of pre- and post-treatment fasting blood chemistry, a graded, symptom-limited maximal exercise test, anthropometric measurements of skinfold and circumferences, and flexibility, as well as anxiety, depression, mood, and somatic distress. Significant improvements were found in cholesterol, weight, suprailiac and weighted skinfold, arm circumference, hip flexibility, and exercise endurance in the active groups. Women in the continuous passive motion plus diet condition had a significant weight loss and improved lipid profile. Committed walkers significantly outperformed women in the continuous passive motion groups on cardiovascular fitness but were more likely to terminate participation in the program prematurely. Results suggested that involvement in continuous passive motion generates positive expectancies for improved physical and psychological well-being, which may improve adherence to health-promoting regimens.