South African Journal of Physiotherapy最新文献

{"title":"Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapy and lived experiences in South Africa: A mixed-methods study.","authors":"Brenda M Morrow, Janine Verstraete, Sinead Thistlewhite, Carese Abrahams, Teboho N Nkosi, Tyra Donnelly, Dalziel Kennedy, Marco Zampoli","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2422","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator (CFTRm) therapy has transformed cystic fibrosis (CF) outcomes in high-income settings, yet access remains severely limited in South Africa. Patient-reported outcomes of CFTRm are underexplored.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the lived experiences of South African people living with cystic fibrosis (PLwCF) following CFTRm initiation, focusing on respiratory symptoms, treatment burden, physical activity, social and recreational participation, and well-being.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A convergent mixed-methods design incorporated an online survey (<i>n</i> = 37; 48% response rate) and semi-structured interviews (<i>n</i> = 6) with PLwCF aged > 6 years. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests compared pre- and post-CFTRm responses; qualitative data underwent inductive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants reported dramatic improvements from pre- to post-CFTRm: daily distressing respiratory symptoms decreased from 73% to 6% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001); perceived therapy burden shifted from predominantly high (78%) to predominantly low burden (87%), with a similar decline in duration of respiratory treatment: before CFTRm, 63% of participants spent > 1 h per day on respiratory treatment compared to 14% after CFTRm (<i>p</i> < 0.0001); regular exercise increased from 62% to 92% (<i>p</i> = 0.04); frequent social participation from 22% to 49% (<i>p</i> = 0.006); and perceived excellent health increased from 5% to 65% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Ten qualitative themes emerged: (1) respiratory health transformation, (2) reduced treatment burden, (3) normalisation of daily life, (4) enhanced physical capacity and participation, (5) profound psychosocial and (6) family impact, (7) improved nutrition, (8) reduced hospitalisations, (9) improved energy, and (10) altruistic hope for universal access.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator profoundly transforms the lived experiences of South African PLwCF providing compelling evidence to advocate for equitable access in resource-limited settings.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>National funding and rollout of CFTRm for all eligible PLwCF in South Africa are urgently needed, together with interdisciplinary support to navigate modifications to existing care regimens.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2422"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543264/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiotherapy students' perceptions of managing patients with mental illness: A qualitative exploration at a South African university.","authors":"Maylene Salo, Farhana Karachi, Danelle Hess, Shamila Gamiet","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2355","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental illness (MI) is a leading cause of global ill health and disability, with nearly half of the population affected by mental health (MH) conditions at some point in their lives. Consequently, all healthcare professionals, including physiotherapy students, will inevitably encounter patients with MI in clinical practice. However, their preparedness and ability to manage these patients remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore physiotherapy students' perceptions of their preparedness and ability to manage patients with co-existing (undiagnosed or known) MH conditions alongside a primary physical health presentation in clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was employed. Sixteen fourth-year physiotherapy students from the University of the Western Cape (mean age 22.8 ± 1.32 years) participated in semi-structured individual interviews conducted either face-to-face or online. Data were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four themes emerged from the data: (1) Evolving understandings of MI: knowledge, sources, and lived experiences; (2) Negotiating care within personal and clinical realities; (3) Insufficient alignment between theory and practice; and (4) Making sense of physiotherapy's contribution to MH care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the need to strengthen both theoretical and practical components of MH curricula and training within undergraduate physiotherapy programmes.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Improved curricular integration may enhance students' preparedness, ability, confidence and competence when managing patients with MI, while supporting more holistic and effective patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2355"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13444091/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of graded exposure therapy in patients with non-specific chronic lower back pain and kinesiophobia in Gauteng, South Africa.","authors":"Sandy Lord, Vaneshveri Naidoo, Jasmina Govind","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2333","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2333","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Kinesiophobia hampers positive outcomes in patients with non-specific chronic lower back pain (NSCLBP). Graded exposure therapy is a psychosocial approach aimed at increasing patients' functional capacity by challenging their fears and negative expectations.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of a graded exposure therapy programme on patients with NSCLBP, with primary outcomes assessing changes in pain intensity (Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form [BPI-SF]) and kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 [TSK-11]) from baseline to post-intervention and secondary outcomes assessing changes in pain interference (BPI-SF).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design was used. Twenty-eight participants with NSCLBP for more than 3 months and a TSK-11 score ≥ 22 were recruited. Outcome measures included the TSK-11, BPI-SF and Fear of Daily Activities Questionnaire (FDAQ). The intervention included a 4-week graded exposure programme and pain neuroscience education in the first session only. Data were analysed using the parametric paired <i>t</i>-test and Cohen's <i>d</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 28 participants, most were female (96.4%) with a mean age of 45 (± 8.2) years and reported pain for more than 12 months. Significant improvements were observed on both the TSK-11 and BPI-SF (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Large effect sizes were observed for both kinesiophobia and pain severity (TSK-11: <i>d</i> = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI 1.14, 2.32]; BPI Pain Severity: <i>d</i> = 1.21, 95% CI [0.72, 1.70]).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Graded exposure therapy was effective in reducing pain and kinesiophobia in patients with NSCLBP in the short term.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Future considerations should be given to implementing the graded exposure therapy in conjunction with other physiotherapy modalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2333"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13444416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiotherapists' knowledge, attitude and practice of motor learning in stroke rehabilitation.","authors":"Elmi Meyer, Helena W Nel, Dineo Mahlangu, Riette Nel","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2350","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2350","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To improve motor impairment in stroke survivors, physiotherapists are encouraged to structure exercise sessions in such a way that motor learning is optimised in stroke survivors. No studies have described the knowledge, attitudes or practices of South African physiotherapists regarding motor learning in stroke rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of South African physiotherapists regarding motor learning in stroke rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Convenient and snowball sampling techniques were used. Self-compiled questionnaires were sent to members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) via an electronic survey platform.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty physiotherapists completed the survey. Respondents' main area of interest was spread widely: the most indicated area was neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy (<i>n</i> = 16, 40%), followed by adult neurological rehabilitation (<i>n</i> = 7, 17.5%). Fifty per cent of respondents treated between 1 stroke survivor and 10 stroke survivors with motor impairment over the past year. Most respondents (<i>n</i> = 36, 90%) had moderate knowledge of motor learning in stroke rehabilitation. However, study findings indicate knowledge gaps in several areas. Most respondents (<i>n</i> = 37, 92.5%) considered the application of motor learning principles to be an important tool to improve motor impairment in stroke survivors. Respondents inconsistently applied motor learning recommendations from the literature into stroke rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study revealed knowledge and practice gaps in several motor learning areas and inconsistent application of motor learning recommendations from the literature into stroke rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Findings highlight the need for further post-graduate training to allow physiotherapists to confidently apply motor learning principles in stroke rehabilitation.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2350"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347803/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond skills: Reimagining clinical education for a transformative future.","authors":"Hellen Myezwa, Tania R van der Merwe, Tonderai W Shumba","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2377","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2377","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 2","pages":"2377"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347673/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The undergraduate external examination process and the perceptions of examiners at the physiotherapy departments in South Africa.","authors":"Mokgobadibe V Ntsiea, Karien Mostert, Adnil Titus, Conran Joseph, Shamila Manie, Heleen van Wyk, Muziwakhe Tshabalala, Verusia Chetty","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2305","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Variations in external examination processes across South African universities may challenge the validity of physiotherapy assessments. Our study explores external examiners' understanding of moderation and academic standards.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe the examination processes and external examiners' perceptions of academic standards in South African physiotherapy programmes.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire sent to all eight universities that offer a physiotherapy degree in South Africa. The total population size was 103.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Practices include appointing the same external examiner for up to 2 years (<i>n</i> = 4), using the same examiner for reassessments (<i>n</i> = 3), and assigning examiners across all modules regardless of expertise (<i>n</i> = 2). Five institutions allocate clinical blocks specifically, and four expose students to all clinical areas. External examiners assess all third- and fourth-year students at five institutions and receive procedural orientation via written guidelines (<i>n</i> = 5). Feedback is typically shared orally (<i>n</i> = 5) or in a university-formatted written report (<i>n</i> = 3). A 10% mark difference is acceptable at two institutions; others lack clear criteria. Internal and external marks carry equal weight, and two universities apply sub minima for clinical safety and effectiveness. Moderation samples span high to low scoring scripts (<i>n</i> = 4). Contingency plans for examiner cancellations are in place at all institutions. Indicators of good performance include evidence-based practice (88%), alignment with departmental outcomes (71%), and meeting examiners' assessment expectations (50%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Clarification of the external examiner's role is needed in the absence of formal guidelines from governing bodies.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Findings can guide consistent competency standards and also support the Health Professions Council in evaluating physiotherapy training institutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 2","pages":"2305"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347780/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gamification in the Medicine and Surgery course for occupational therapy and physiotherapy undergraduate students.","authors":"Amanda Jankowitz, Monique M Keller","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2341","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gamification has emerged as a transformative pedagogical strategy in health sciences education, offering innovative ways to enhance student engagement, motivation and competency development. This state-of-the-art commentary explores the integration of digital badges into the third-year Medicine and Surgery course for occupational therapy and physiotherapy students at a public university in South Africa. Originally introduced to address contextual and educational challenges, digital badges acted as engagement tools aligned with specific learning outcomes and professional competencies. The inclusion of badges was organically developed by lecturers in response to contextual challenges, including inconsistent face-to-face teaching, low engagement, limited interdisciplinary interaction in an online learning environment, and the need to prepare students for clinical practice in resource-constrained settings. Gamification elements were embedded in Moodle, the learning management system, to scaffold learning progression and support the core competencies outlined by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), including therapeutic and professional relationships, professionalism, communication and ethical practice.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The introduction of gamification and badges may improve clinical, interdisciplinary, and communication skills among undergraduate students. Contextual relevance, inclusive design, and ongoing evaluation incorporating the students' voices are recommended in sound instructional design through active engagement with gamification practices in health sciences education.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 2","pages":"2341"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploration of lifestyle interventions for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review.","authors":"Bashir Bello, Fatima Y Aliyu, Bashir Kaka, Ushotanefe Useh","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2370","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2370","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a primary global cause of disability, with lifestyle interventions such as exercise and weight management serving as key conservative strategies. However, the diversity of these interventions and their assessment measures lack synthesis.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our scoping review explored the range, characteristics and outcomes of lifestyle interventions for knee OA and identified the outcome measures used for assessment.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines and the Arksey and O'Malley framework, data were extracted from 36 studies, including 29 randomised controlled trials, two cohorts, three quasi-experimental studies, one qualitative study and one feasibility trial.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across 4025 participants, interventions included physiotherapist-guided exercise, multicomponent programmes, digital eHealth platforms, aquatic training and dietary changes. While findings consistently showed improved physical function, reduced pain and enhanced quality of life, no single outcome measure was universally applied across all identified studies. Key barriers included low motivation, technical literacy and resource intensity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lifestyle interventions are diverse and effective for improving clinical outcomes in knee OA. The absence of a standardised outcome measure highlights significant heterogeneity in how intervention efficacy is captured in research.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>These findings highlight the need for standardised, clinically meaningful outcome measures to improve comparability across studies and strengthen evidence synthesis. Greater consistency in how lifestyle interventions are evaluated will support translation into clinical practice and inform the design of future multicomponent programmes for individuals with knee OA.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2370"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13348183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of a brief online education intervention on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of qualified physiotherapists about chronic low back pain: Pre- and post-intervention survey.","authors":"Lara Davis, Benita Olivier, Lorraine Jacobs, Sandy Lord","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2264","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2264","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A shift from biomedical towards biopsychosocial approaches is increasingly recommended in literature for the management of non-specific low back pain (LBP). The knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of clinicians may, however, serve as a barrier to effective management.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our study investigated the impact of an online education programme on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists about chronic LBP.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Qualified physiotherapists (<i>n</i> = 536) attended a webinar series based on risk stratification and the biopsychosocial model of care for LBP. Participants completed the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists and Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire before and after. Data were compared using descriptive analysis, dependent <i>t</i>-tests and Pearson correlation analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Post-intervention, biomedical orientation decreased significantly (53.74 ± 12.80 to 43.04 ± 11.63; <i>p</i> < 0.001), while biopsychosocial orientation increased (35.52 ± 4.65 to 39.62 ± 4.70; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Pain neurophysiology knowledge improved significantly (NPQ: 10.19 ± 1.78 to 11.04 ± 1.64; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Improvements in the biopsychosocial orientation of participants were found to correlate with a notable reduction in biomedical orientation post-intervention (<i>r</i> = -0.234, <i>p</i> = 0.000). There was also a significant positive correlation between improvements in biopsychosocial beliefs and pain neurophysiology knowledge post-intervention (<i>r</i> = 0.152, <i>p</i> = 0.031).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Online educational interventions may enhance physiotherapists' knowledge and shift attitudes and beliefs towards a biopsychosocial treatment orientation for LBP.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Incorporating concise, theory-informed online educational modules into continuing professional development may bridge knowledge gaps and facilitate the translation of biopsychosocial pain management strategies into routine physiotherapy practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13243796/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiences of functional recovery after polytrauma in a private Johannesburg healthcare setting: Patients' perspectives.","authors":"Mughammad A Reis, Monique M Keller, Heleen van Aswegen","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2195","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of polytrauma is increasing globally and in South Africa, contributing to the reported rates of disability. Early physiotherapy intervention in the acute care setting reduces the risk of complications and facilitates functional recovery of patients who sustained polytrauma injuries. There is minimal evidence exploring patients' perceptions of their recovery of physical function following polytrauma injury in an acute setting and after hospital discharge.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore patients' perceptions of their recovery of physical function after polytrauma.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative single-case study was carried out at a private trauma facility in Johannesburg, drawing on eight semi-structured interviews gathered through purposive sampling. The interview transcripts were examined using an inductive analytical approach, with MAXQDA assisting in generating the codes and themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six central themes emerged, capturing patients' views on the factors that hindered or supported their recovery of physical function following polytrauma. These broad themes included satisfaction with the care received, experiences with rehabilitation after discharge, mental health and resilience, degree of disability, pain and physical functioning, and the influence of support systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Multiple factors shape how patients perceive their physical recovery after experiencing polytrauma. Notably, the quality of interpersonal interactions played a prominent role in shaping their views of the care they received.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Our study may inform practice in the clinical setting in the management of patients recovering from polytrauma injuries to address barriers and promote facilitators identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2195"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13243820/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}