South African Journal of Physiotherapy最新文献

{"title":"Clinical reasoning in intensive care: Insights from novice and expert physiotherapists.","authors":"Hudaa Kariem, Liezel Ennion, Farhana Karachi, Shamila Gamiet, Danelle Hess","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2300","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Clinical reasoning in the intensive care unit (ICU), a complex, high-acuity and stressful environment, may require a different set of critical thinking and decision-making approaches to undergraduate physiotherapy student training in this setting that needs to be explored.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore clinical reasoning processes of undergraduate physiotherapy students (novices) and clinicians (experts) in ICU settings in the Western Cape.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with purposively sampled participants: seven final-year physiotherapy novices and four physiotherapy clinicians with over 5 years of ICU experience. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both novice and expert physiotherapists described using information gathering, assessment planning, and hypothesis formulation from medical folder reviews and objective assessments to guide critical thinking and decision-making in ICU care. Experienced clinicians relied on the International Classification of Function framework and extensive ICU exposure to strengthen their reasoning. Novice physiotherapists reported that theory and its application supported their clinical reasoning, but their effectiveness was limited by the complex, high-pressure ICU environment, emotional burden of critically ill and end-of-life care, and feelings of overwhelm, fear, stress, anxiety and limited experience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study highlights shared foundations but clear differences in the depth of clinical reasoning between novice and expert physiotherapists, with clinicians' greater experience and situational familiarity enabling more advanced reasoning in ICU care.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Structured ICU exposure, emotional support and guided reasoning frameworks are needed to help novice physiotherapists apply theory effectively in high-pressure ICU settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 2","pages":"2300"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147869880","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":"Interprofessional training for undergraduate rehabilitation therapy students at the University of the Witwatersrand enhancing cancer rehabilitation in South Africa.","authors":"Vaneshveri Naidoo, Kim Coutts, Merling Phaswana, Sonti Pilusa, Bhavna Bahgoo, Mary Lou Galantino, Nabeela Sujee","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2314","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i2.2314","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The national cancer strategy includes guidelines for rehabilitation as part of a collaborative team for cancer care. Interprofessional engagement is a critical attribute of a rehabilitation team. Thus, exposing students to live case scenarios in physiotherapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) provides development of Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate students' acquisition of interprofessional competencies (<i>Values and Ethics; Roles and Responsibilities; Interprofessional Communication; and Teams and Teamwork</i>) in cancer rehabilitation and explore their qualitative experiences of interprofessional engagement.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional survey design with open-ended questions was administered to final year rehabilitation students (PT, OT and SLP) post interprofessional education (IPE) session with a cancer survivor (CS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 140 enrolled final year students, 64 completed the IPEC survey on Redcap. Descriptive and qualitative data analysis were conducted. High levels of agreement across all IPEC domains were observed, with the highest seen in <i>Teams and Teamwork</i>. Three themes, (1) Scope of practice, (2) Teamwork, (3) Experience of the IPE activity, emerged from the open-ended questions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High agreement across IPEC domains indicates enhanced collaborative attitudes and role clarity, despite limited exposure to oncology in participants' undergraduate curricula. The presence of a CS added authenticity, fostering empathy and ethical practice. Students gained insight into professional boundaries, effective communication strategies and teamwork in complex care settings. Findings support integrating authentic, condition-specific IPE into curricula to strengthen collaboration and professional identity formation.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Undergraduate Health Sciences students can gain exposure to national cancer policies through IPE sessions. Future research can explore if the skills learnt translate to clinical teamwork post-graduation.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 2","pages":"2314"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149817/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147869495","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":"Maitland mobilisation improves all ranges of motion in non-traumatic shoulder injury: A randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Karishma C Lalwani-Mangtani, Álvaro Ramos-Luzardo, Ricardo Chirino, Pedro Saavedra, Pilar Fernández-Valerón","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2325","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2325","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Shoulder pathologies are common causes of pain and functional limitation, often requiring physiotherapeutic interventions. Evidence comparing the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise-based approaches in non-traumatic shoulder conditions remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare the effectiveness of Maitland mobilisation (MAIT) versus kinesiotherapy (KINE) in improving pain, function, quality of life, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with non-traumatic shoulder pathology.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Fifty-nine patients (63 shoulders) were randomly assigned to KINE (KINE; <i>n</i> = 32) or MAIT (MAIT; <i>n</i> = 31) over 15 sessions (three per week for 5 weeks). Both groups also received shortwave diathermy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and exercises. Outcomes included the Disabilities for the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Short Form Health Survey, and ROM assessed with a Qualisys motion capture system. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-treatment, and 2-week follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>While both groups showed significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life after treatment, maintained at 2-week follow-up, MAIT also improved all outcome measures across all ROMs. Percentage changes from baseline were significantly greater in the MAIT group for most variables at both time points. A greater proportion of patients in the MAIT group exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for DASH, ASES, and VAS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although both approaches produced positive outcomes, MAIT demonstrated superior effectiveness compared with KINE.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Maitland mobilisation may be recommended as a preferred intervention for non-traumatic shoulder pathology in clinical practice, offering broader improvements in function, pain, and mobility without additional treatment burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2325"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149914/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147869843","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":"Words matter: A call for person-first and function-oriented terminology in post-stroke rehabilitation.","authors":"Michael O Ogunlana, Olufemi O Oyewole, Olukunle O Oyegoke, Thavanesi Gurayah","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2357","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2357","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149527/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147869840","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":"Bridging the gap: The experiences and needs of people with spinal cord injury when transitioning out of inpatient rehabilitation.","authors":"Cleopatra Floudiotis, Sonti I Pilusa","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2260","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2260","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rehabilitation experience can influence the transition back to home and community life. With impending National Health Insurance reform and limited rehabilitation guidelines in South Africa, there is a need to understand the current state of rehabilitation services. To the authors' knowledge, no other South African study has explored inpatient rehabilitation experiences and their influence on the readiness to transition home in spinal cord injury (SCI).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore the experiences of inpatient rehabilitation among people with SCI, to examine how the experience influenced their transition out of inpatient rehabilitation, and to identify the needs of people with SCI when transitioning out of inpatient rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A phenomenological, qualitative design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 patients with SCI in their final week of inpatient rehabilitation from October 2023 to February 2024. The interview guide was developed from similar studies in New Zealand. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively analysed to identify themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three themes emerged: overall rehabilitation experience, factors influencing the experience and transition readiness, and needs impacting the transition to home. Participants reported a positive experience overall, although some negative elements were noted. Key needs for a smoother transition included bridging the gaps in the approach to care, more realistic home environment simulations and individualised psychological support.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Rehabilitation experiences highlight the need for a specialised, patient-centred approach to SCI care. Addressing unmet needs can enhance preparedness for reintegration, especially in contexts without a structured SCI model of care.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Ongoing professional development, improved rehabilitation environments and structured psychological support during rehabilitation are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2260"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149688/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147869887","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":"Student-created digital artefacts for health promotion and disease prevention: A scoping review.","authors":"Anke van der Merwe, Lizemari Hugo","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2298","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Digital health promotion is critical in addressing global disease burden, yet little is known about how healthcare educators train undergraduate students to create these artefacts for health promotion and disease prevention. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework underpinned the study.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the creation of digital artefacts for health promotion and disease prevention by undergraduate students in health professions programmes.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The review used the Johanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Preferred Reporting Items Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, systematically searching 13 databases with information scientist assistance. Studies describing digital artefacts created by undergraduate healthcare students were included. Data were inductively and thematically analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 314 records, 11 articles from mostly high-income countries focussing on medical and nursing students were included after screening. Digital artefacts included videos, social media content, and multimedia materials targeting populations. Students demonstrated positive attitudes towards creation, influenced by empowerment and knowledge gains, with target populations reporting increased knowledge and cultural relevance. Subjective norms were shaped by institutional support and expert guidance. Students showed perceived behavioural control due to technological competencies. Only two studies reported using educational frameworks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study emphasises digital artefacts' effectiveness in health promotion, highlighting their reach to diverse populations. Findings stress the importance of support in assisting students to create accurate, culturally relevant health messages for the evolving healthcare environment.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Healthcare curricula must adapt to include digital health promotion skills, requiring educators to update teaching approaches to prepare graduates for modern healthcare delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2298"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147646860","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":"Clinical educators' perspectives on physical activity and exercise prescription in clinical education for physiotherapy: A qualitative study.","authors":"Shamila Gamiet, Farhana Karachi, Joliana Phillips, José Frantz","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2272","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2272","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physical activity (PA) promotion and exercise prescription (EP) are crucial core competencies in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. However, the extent to which these competencies are taught and implemented in clinical education for physiotherapy remains unclear within the South African context.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore clinical educators' perceptions regarding PA and EP in clinical education for physiotherapy at a local university in the Western Cape, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. Eleven clinical educators participated in two focus group discussions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants had an average of 15 years of clinical experience. More women (73%, <i>n</i> = 8/11) participated. Thematic analysis revealed three principal themes: (1) Professional identity and patient empowerment, (2) knowledge translation challenges: bridging theory and practice and (3) time and resource constraints - identifying practical constraints that impact teaching and implementation. Participants expressed their profession's responsibility in promoting PA and prescribing exercises across all clinical settings. They identified challenges in clinical practice, knowledge translation gaps and the need for strengthened professional development.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The complex interplay between educational theory, clinical practice constraints and the evolving role of physiotherapists in public health are highlighted. A multi-faceted approach that considers educational reform and healthcare system constraints, while maintaining a focus on improving patient outcomes through promoting PA and exercise, is recommended.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Emphasis on preparing physiotherapy students to effectively educate and empower patients for independent health management is recommended and could impact population health outcomes in resource-limited settings in which the ongoing professional supervision of exercise programmes is often not feasible.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2272"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058542/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147646753","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":"Association between sociodemographic and injury factors in community reintegration following spinal cord injury: An analysis of two datasets.","authors":"Joyce Mothabeng, Chiedozie Eleje, Martins Nweke","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2326","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2326","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Community reintegration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is influenced by personal and injury-related factors. However, data from two South African studies examining these associations have not been jointly analysed.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our study aimed to examine the association between sociodemographic and injury-related factors and community reintegration among people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Secondary data analysis was conducted using two cross-sectional South African datasets comprising 182 PWSCI. The datasets met the predefined homogeneity criteria and were analysed separately and as a pooled dataset. Community reintegration was measured using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI). Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics, while Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied to examine associations between explanatory variables and community reintegration outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the pooled analysis, better community reintegration was significantly associated with younger age (< 55 years), female sex and employment (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Participants with thoracic and lumbar injuries showed higher levels of reintegration than those with cervical injuries although this association was not statistically significant. Injury severity and aetiology were not significantly associated with community reintegration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Younger age, female sex and favourable social circumstances, particularly employment, are associated with better community reintegration among PWSCI. These findings highlight the importance of considering the sociodemographic context and injury characteristics when planning rehabilitation and community-based support interventions.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Early identification of older and unemployed PWSCI may help clinicians target individuals at a higher risk of poor community reintegration and guide tailored rehabilitation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2326"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058539/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147646719","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":"Reaching a consensus on a patellofemoral pain syndrome self-management programme for recreational cyclists in Saudi Arabia: A modified Delphi study.","authors":"Ameen Masoudi, Bashir Bello, Nomzamo Chemane, Ushotanefe Useh, Nontembiso Magida","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2271","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recreational cycling is increasingly popular in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia. However, many cyclists lack structured self-management programmes (SMPs) to address patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), a common overuse injury that significantly affects knee function and cycling performance. Despite the growing interest in cycling, a critical gap remains in culturally relevant, evidence-based SMP.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our study aimed to develop expert consensus on the essential components of SMP for recreational cyclists with PFPS.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Our study employed a two-round modified Delphi to develop expert consensus on the components of an SMP for recreational cyclists with PFPS. A panel of 25 experts, comprising physiotherapists, biokinetists, sports medicine professionals and exercise physiologists, participated in Round 1, with 19 experts (76% retention) completing Round 2. The process involved rating proposed programme objectives, principles, outcome measures and pain relief strategies using a four-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined as ≥ 70% of respondents selecting either 'disagree' to 'strongly agree'.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Consensus was reached on strengthening exercises (88%), evidence-based practice (84%), pain education (84%), PFPS education (92%) and knee pain management (92%). Round 2 results were streamlined and ranked according to pain, function, adherence, cultural resources and engagement supports, following clarifications and the addition of new items from experts.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study establishes an evidence-based, region-specific framework for self-managing PFPS among recreational cyclists.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The proposed programme is designed to enhance adherence, reduce the risk of injury and improve cycling performance. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, its scalability, outcomes and integration into national sports and rehabilitation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2271"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436315","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 global profile of individuals undergoing total knee replacement surgery through a PROGRESS-PLUS equity lens: A systematic review.","authors":"Marisa Coetzee, Amanda Clifford, Dominique C Leibbrandt, Jacobus Jordaan, Quinette Louw","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2303","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common, disabling condition influenced by multiple biopsychosocial factors and often requiring a total knee replacement (TKR). However, most rehabilitation programmes are developed in high-income countries, potentially limiting transferability to lower-income settings with distinct health equity challenges.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe the demographic and health equity profiles of adults undergoing TKR for primary OA across low-, middle- and high-income countries.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and ProQuest for peer-reviewed primary research, including observational studies, randomised controlled trials and grey literature published between 2020 and 2024. Studies reporting on individuals undergoing TKR were selected. Data extraction followed the PROGRESS-Plus framework, and a descriptive synthesis of demographic and health equity information was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review included 101 studies with over 3.2 million participants, predominantly from high- and upper-middle-income countries, with no representation from Africa. Although females consistently represented the majority (54% - 86%), key health equity indicators such as socioeconomic status and education were inadequately reported. Clinical characteristics also varied, with a higher mean BMI observed in high-income country studies. Substantial methodological heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is extensive global research on TKR; however, data from lower-income countries is scarce, and health equity factors are poorly reported.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Inconsistent reporting of outcome measures and limited reporting of health equity in global studies limit the implementation of rehabilitation programmes in low-resource settings. These settings would benefit from detailed equity data to adapt interventions to local patient needs. In addition, better integration of social determinants of health into physiotherapy practice can enhance personalised care and fair resource distribution.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969597/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436302","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}