APA Dictionary of Psychology

in pain management, a gentle, graduated exercise program aimed at helping someone whose movements have been impaired by pain to recover function. The exercises start slowly and are modified according to the patient’s ability and pain levels; over time, the number of repetitions and the difficulty of the exercises are increased. Patients are not expected to work to the point of muscle failure, as in strength training; rather, exercising is usually time limited, avoids extremes, and concentrates on stretching. There is a psychological component to this intervention as well, in that patients learn not to fear the pain they anticipate will occur with movement. Graded activation also is applied in rehabilitation programs as well as in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions that result in prolonged physical inactivity. Also called graded exercise therapy (GET).