South African Journal of Physiotherapy最新文献

{"title":"Life after the hospital: Lived experience of people with traumatic spinal cord injury in a resource-constrained setting - a qualitative study.","authors":"Maurice Kanyoni, Margaret I Fitch, Joliana Phillips, Lena Nilsson-Wikmar, David K Tumusiime","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2273","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>When a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) happens to healthy individuals, it requires an adjustment to life situations in the community. Exploring the lived experience of spinal cord injury survivors is important because it forms a foundation for designing strategies to improve their reintegration back into the community. There are limited studies in the East and Central African region regarding the experience of community reintegration following a TSCI.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study explored lived experiences of persons with TSCI in Rwanda. Specifically, it sought to identify and understand the barriers and facilitators to living in the community following a TSCI.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A descriptive qualitative design was employed. Nineteen individuals, purposively selected for diversity, were interviewed face to face. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the informants was 40 years, ranging from 21 years to 72 years old. Ten participants had paraplegia, and nine were living with tetraplegia. The themes identified were personal factors, social relationships, community-related factors, preinjury status, and having common conditions. Strong personal resources, a supportive family, health insurance coverage, and peer counselling were reported as facilitators. Barriers include inaccessibility to public buildings and transport, inappropriate assistive devices, inappropriate language and pre-injury conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The challenges experienced by people with TSCI range from personal to environmental factors, and from employment to policy issues. This study sheds light on the lived experience of individuals with TSCI. There is a need to review current relevant policies in Rwanda as a first step to addressing these issues.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Rehabilitation services in Rwanda need to be designed to include home-based care. Introducing peer counselling could be beneficial within the rehabilitation programme.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969515/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436317","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":"Caring for a child with a lower respiratory tract infection: Parents' perspectives.","authors":"Danielle Foot, Joanne L Potterton","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2251","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2251","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parents are intricately involved in managing their child's lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). While medical and physiotherapy management of childhood respiratory infections has been studied, little is known about parents' perspectives on the condition and its care.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and challenges of parents of children with LRTI concerning medical and physiotherapy management.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Parents of children under 3 years with LRTIs were invited to participate in a qualitative exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Each interview was coded, and deductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data saturation was reached after 10 interviews and confirmed after 12 interviews. The mean ages of participants and their children were 34.3 (standard deviation [s.d.] ± 4.9) years and 18.8 (s.d. ± 6.5) months, respectively. The codes that emerged formed sub-themes within a main theme, which was labelled 'It is tough taking care of a sick child'. The sub-themes identified were 'personal challenges', 'treatment options' and 'parent understanding'.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Parents still felt ineffective and stressed about taking care of their child's LRTI, despite the integral role that they play in the management of their child's respiratory condition. Timely access to a multidisciplinary team of paediatric healthcare professionals who practice family-centred care positively influences the experience of caring for a sick child.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Understanding parent perspectives will help healthcare professionals enhance a family-centred care approach, leading to better health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2251"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969482/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436314","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 physiotherapists audited by South African medical funding schemes.","authors":"Lesley Meyer, Werdie van Staden, Karien Mostert","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2261","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Forensic auditing safeguards patients' funds by investigating billing irregularities of claims submitted to medical schemes. However, billing irregularity audits can be misguided, as indicated in a study conducted in Australia, Canada and the United States. Negative consequences were reported, including attrition, and patients funding their treatments out of pocket. Medical professionals were penalised, without forensic auditors considering alternative explanations for the alleged irregular billing patterns. Small medical practitioners, unable to defend themselves financially, closed their practices, leaving patients without medical care. In South Africa, the experiences of physiotherapists who underwent forensic audits have not been examined.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study explored physiotherapists' experiences of forensic auditing by medical scheme administrators.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An analytical qualitative study was conducted to interview 14 physiotherapists. Three focus group discussions and 11 individual interviews were conducted. A semi-structured open-ended interview guide was used, analysing the data via open and axial coding.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The first five themes that emerged captured the adverse experiences of physiotherapists. These were (1) 'unfairly persecuted, judged and penalised'; (2) 'overpowered and oppressed'; (3) 'naively entrapped between a rock and a hard place'; (4) 'distressed with a knife over your head' and (5) 'detrimental and hurtful'. In the sixth theme, 'seeking remedies pre-emptively and preparedly', the participants made recommendations to prevent similar unwanted experiences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Physiotherapists experienced significant emotional, financial and professional detriment at the hands of South African medical scheme administrators.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The quality of care provided by physiotherapists is adversely affected when forensic audit-related distress occurs.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436269","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":"Elements of social accountability in undergraduate health sciences curricula: A scoping review.","authors":"Laeeqa Sujee, Vaneshveri Naidoo, Hellen Myezwa","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2269","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2269","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Social accountability represents the social contract between medicine and society, encouraging healthcare professionals (HCPs) to address social and health-related issues. The importance of integrating social accountability into curricula is widely recognised, but there is a lack of comprehensive mapping of the specific elements that should be included.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To identify the key elements of social accountability that should be integrated into undergraduate health sciences curricula to develop socially accountable HCPs.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual 2015 for scoping reviews. A comprehensive search was employed using various keyword combinations and search strings, inclusive of published and grey literature from the past 15 years. Studies were systematically charted and analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A rigorous screening process resulted in 47 studies being included in the review. Majority of the studies were qualitative, with the highest number of studies originating from Canada, South Africa, and the United States, as well as several multi-country studies. Equity emerged as the most frequently mentioned value, while cost-effectiveness was discussed the least.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The scoping review demonstrates that embedding equity-driven approaches, community engagement, interprofessional collaboration and transformative learning in healthcare systems and tertiary institutions is vital. Addressing these priorities through undergraduate health sciences training can foster more inclusive, responsive and effective healthcare delivery, and improve health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Integrating the identified elements of social accountability into undergraduate health sciences curricula may lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced health disparities, and more effective, patient-centred care.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"82 1","pages":"2269"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969508/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436258","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":"Perceptions of physiotherapists regarding challenges experienced by patients with Deafness in accessing rehabilitative care.","authors":"Meluleki S Thethwayo, Olivia Baloyi","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2241","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hearing impairment, including deafness, affects approximately 5% of the global population, with the majority residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa. Despite the constitutional right to healthcare for all, patients with deafness face persistent health inequalities because of communication barriers with healthcare professionals. Physiotherapists are often unprepared to provide care for patients with deafness, leading to a breakdown in communication and poor healthcare outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study explored physiotherapists' perceptions regarding the challenges faced by patients with deafness in accessing rehabilitative care in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative research approach was used, with social constructivism as the guiding paradigm. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 18 purposively selected physiotherapists across three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data were analysed using Elo and Kyngäs content analysis framework, which involves a systematic three-phase approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified five main categories: (1) access to rehabilitative care, (2) communication barriers, (3) disability stigma and cultural barriers, (4) healthcare system challenges and (5) future aspirations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the need for improved communication strategies, sign language training and a more inclusive approach within the healthcare system to enhance access to rehabilitative care for patients with deafness. The study underscores the importance of addressing systemic and individual factors to provide equitable healthcare to all patients, including those with hearing impairments.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The study underscores the urgent need for physiotherapists to receive sign language and cultural competency training to improve communication and healthcare delivery for patients with deafness, ensuring equitable access to rehabilitative care.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"81 1","pages":"2241"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12587141/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145460234","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":"First contact, last priority? Reimagining physiotherapy in primary health care.","authors":"Witness Mudzi","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2295","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2295","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"81 1","pages":"2295"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12587117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145460297","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":"Systematic review of the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in post-coronavirus disease.","authors":"Nathali Carvajal-Tello, Alejandro Segura-Ordóñez, Harry García-Muñoz, Lida J Sánchez-Montoya, Luisa M Cambindo-Larrahondo, Valentina Muñoz-Chaux, Johana P Barahona-Guzmán, Andrés F Caballero-Lozada","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2132","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2132","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has demonstrated its efficacy in improving strength, muscle development, optimising microcirculation, reducing frailty and mortality risk. A better understanding of its prescription and effects in patients with coronavirus syndrome post (COVID-19) could favour its use.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To find evidence that compares the effectiveness of NMES in the increasing muscle mass, muscle strength and functional independence of patients in post-intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19 syndrome.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic search was carried out in electronic databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Ovid and Cochrane from 22 May 2022 to 30 April 2023, without language restriction, including clinical controlled trials (CCTs) and prospective longitudinal studies (PLS). Prospero registration (CRD42022332036).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1718 scientific articles were found; four articles met the inclusion criteria. For NMES dosing, intervention time ranged from 9 days to 30 days, the stimulus frequency was between 20 Hz and 121 Hz and the pulse width was between 350 µs and 1400 µs. The application time ranged from 30 min to 60 min, the intensity was between 20 mA and 250 mA and the stimulated muscle groups were quadriceps, tibialis anterior, hamstrings and gluteus.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of NMES after COVID-19 such as integral complementary strategy improves muscle mass, strength and functionality of the patients optimising recovery results.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>The addition of NMES to standard physical therapy might have a positive impact on the recovery of individuals who have survived COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"81 1","pages":"2132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065675","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":"Postoperative anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: A survey in Gauteng, South Africa.","authors":"Colett Robbertse, Vaneshveri Naidoo","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2144","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Post-operative rehabilitation is key to successful outcomes in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. This study aimed to determine the management strategies (accelerated vs. non-accelerated protocols) and treatment modalities used by physiotherapists for post-operative ACL rehabilitation in Gauteng, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study determined the frequency of accelerated and non-accelerated protocols, identified rehabilitation objectives, commonly used physiotherapy modalities and exercise recommendations within the first 6 weeks of post-operative ACL rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional study was carried out between 15 December 2021 and 27 May 2022, using a custom-designed questionnaire. The survey was initially distributed to members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) and Physiotherapy Association of South Africa (PASA), as well as shared on social media platforms. Data collection was completed in 6 months. Descriptive statistics (frequencies means and percentages) were analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 120 responses received, 47% (56) were analysed. Management strategies included the accelerated and non-accelerated programmes: 70% (39) of the participants used the accelerated protocol and 23% (13) used the non-accelerated protocol. Furthermore, 59% used protective bracing as part of their management and 66% (37) started rehabilitation post-operatively. Treatment modalities used included myofascial release (75%, 41), peripheral joint mobilisation (63%, 35), massage (57%, 32) and cryotherapy (34%, 19).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Remarkable variation was found in treatment protocols, modalities and exercise prescription.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Using clinical evaluation, objective outcome measures and functional tests as an objective criterion is crucial in decision-making regarding return to function and sport.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"81 1","pages":"2144"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424474/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065666","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":"Quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: A cross-sectional comparison.","authors":"Kathrin Güttinger, Cornelia Neuhaus, Ariane Schwank","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2099","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal curvature treated during adolescence with physiotherapy, braces or surgery. This can be stressful for patients. Few studies compare the quality of life of adolescents with and without scoliosis. Our study aims to investigate the quality of life of adolescents with and without scoliosis using the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life of adolescents with scoliosis in comparison to adolescents without scoliosis.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This comparative cross-sectional study included 60 participants who answered KIDSCREEN-27 accompanied by questions about age, sport intensity and their school category. Girls between the ages of 12 and 17 were included in the study. For each category of KIDSCREEN-27, the values were compared between participants with and without scoliosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistical analysis was done using R Version 4.3.3. In none of the categories were the mean <i>T</i>-scores of adolescents with scoliosis significantly lower than those of the comparison group. In the scoliosis group, 33% (<i>n</i> = 10) showed values rated as 'low' quality of life in the category 'physical well-being'. In the category 'psychological well-being', 36% (<i>n</i> = 11) showed 'low' values.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A general statement about the quality of life in adolescents with scoliosis cannot be made, but monitoring during treatment appears to be important. It is a complex construct that varies for each patient. KIDSCREEN-27 can quickly and easily identify low quality of life in patients with scoliosis.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Physiotherapists play an important role in the scoliosis treatment team as they usually see the patients most often. Thus, early recognition of impaired quality of life is crucial to offer a targeted therapy plan.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"81 1","pages":"2099"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065630","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":"Six-month trajectory of physical function in ICU survivors: Experience from an Eastern Cape centre.","authors":"Elizabeth van der Merwe, Louise Stroud, Gary Sharp, Noline van Vuuren, Fathima Paruk","doi":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2228","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2228","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physical impairment affects up to 60% of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors due to factors such as ICU-acquired neuromuscular weakness (ICU-AW), chronic pain, deconditioning and reduced organ and metabolic function. This impairment is linked to lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our study aimed to assess physical impairment and HRQOL among critically ill patients post hospital discharge.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Intensive care unit survivors were assessed six weeks and six months post hospital discharge. Physical performance was evaluated using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and muscle strength with the Medical Research Council (MRC) score. Patients' HRQOL was determined using the Rand Short Form-36 questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 107 patients (median age 42 years), including 50% with COVID-19, completed the 6-month follow-up. Although significant improvements were observed, 53.5% walked less than 80% of the predicted 6MWT distance at six months, with females disproportionately affected. Poor physical performance was associated with lower physical and mental HRQOL. Pain interfering with activities was reported by 26.2% at six months. Only 2% met full criteria for ICU-AW at six months. By six weeks, only 15% had attended physiotherapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Intensive care unit survivors exhibited a high incidence of physical impairment and pain at six months, impacting HRQOL. Very few patients met full ICU-AW criteria.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>Physical impairment after critical illness is multifactorial and is not only attributable to muscle weakness. The recovery process of young, previously non-frail ICU survivors in the public healthcare setting may be improved by introducing rehabilitation pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":44180,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Physiotherapy","volume":"81 1","pages":"2228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424473/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065611","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}