Use of physical activity by occupational therapists and speech-language therapists in KwaZulu-Natal

South African Family Practice

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Use of physical activity by occupational therapists and speech-language therapists in KwaZulu-Natal
 
Creator Makaula, Onika Msomi, Ntandoyenkosi L. Ross, Andrew J.
 
Subject public health care, rehabilitation services physical activity; rehabilitation; occupational therapy; speech and language therapy; ICF; qualitative
Description Background: Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in rehabilitation by promoting emotional well-being, functional independence, and both physical and cognitive recovery. Although its application in rehabilitation varies, both occupational therapists and speech and language therapists incorporate PA to address individualised patient needs.Objective: We explored the use of PA by occupational therapists and speech and language therapists in the integration of PA in treatment.Methods: Ten therapists participated in virtual semi-structured interviews to explore their use of PA in patient treatment. A directed content analysis guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework was employed. NVivo software facilitated the coding of data into pre-established ICF categories: body structures and functions, activities and participation, and environmental factors.Results: Therapists used PA to achieve endurance, strength and cognitive recovery (body structures and functions); promote engagement in meaningful tasks (activities and participation); and identify environmental barriers and facilitators, such as resource constraints and interdisciplinary collaboration (environmental factors).Conclusion: PA is regarded as a valuable therapeutic tool across ICF domains, with its optimal use in public sector facilities being hindered by institutional challenges, including staff shortages and limited resources.Contribution: This study contributes to the understanding of how occupational therapists and speech and language therapists integrate PA into rehabilitation, capturing practical clinical strategies aligned with the ICF framework.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor N/A
Date 2025-09-30
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Original; qualitative - framework analysis
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/safp.v67i1.6184
 
Source South African Family Practice; Vol 67, No 1 (2025): Part 4; 8 pages 2078-6204 2078-6190
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6184/9822 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6184/9823 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6184/9824 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6184/9825
 
Coverage South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal 2024 - 2025 22 - 38; Africans, rehabilitation therapists, males, females
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Onika Makaula, Ntandoyenkosi L. Msomi, Andrew J. Ross https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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