The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report

Introduction: Stroke is one of the global leading causes of disability, with a higher prevalence at a younger age in sub-Saharan Africa. Returning to functional status is a primary goal of rehabilitation for stroke survivors. However, the cost of intensive rehabilitation is often a barrier for the u...

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Main Authors: Laeeqa Sujee, Sacha Hildebrandt, Amy Harrison, Christa Matjekane, Thabiso Mmoledi, Sonti Pilusa, Kganetso Sekome, Adedayo T. Ajidahun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2025-02-01
Series:South African Journal of Physiotherapy
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Online Access:https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2117
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author Laeeqa Sujee
Sacha Hildebrandt
Amy Harrison
Christa Matjekane
Thabiso Mmoledi
Sonti Pilusa
Kganetso Sekome
Adedayo T. Ajidahun
author_facet Laeeqa Sujee
Sacha Hildebrandt
Amy Harrison
Christa Matjekane
Thabiso Mmoledi
Sonti Pilusa
Kganetso Sekome
Adedayo T. Ajidahun
author_sort Laeeqa Sujee
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Stroke is one of the global leading causes of disability, with a higher prevalence at a younger age in sub-Saharan Africa. Returning to functional status is a primary goal of rehabilitation for stroke survivors. However, the cost of intensive rehabilitation is often a barrier for the under-resourced in South Africa. Patient presentation: This article describes the individualised ‘return-to-function’ approach to rehabilitation and its outcomes for five stroke survivors delivered through a non-profit public–private partnership in a low-income community in South Africa. Management and outcome: A retrospective case series of stroke survivors who participated in the Bounce Back Journey (BBJ) programme between 2019 and 2021 was conducted. The beneficiaries’ ages ranged from 21 to 55 years; two were females and three were males. The goals and outcomes of five stroke survivors with impairments, functional limitations and participation restrictions admitted into the BBJ programme were evaluated through standardised outcome measures. All the beneficiaries required financial support and extensive rehabilitation to return to a functional life. All showed improved outcomes in functional independence and health-related quality of life at discharge. Depressive symptoms clinically deteriorated in one patient. At discharge, all participants faced challenges finding opportunities to return to work. Conclusion: The case series demonstrates how an alternative community-based rehabilitation programme has the potential to improve functionality, health-related quality of life and mental health. Contribution: A low-cost, community-based, intensive rehabilitation programme can improve functionality, but return to work and community re-integration opportunities remain limited.
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series South African Journal of Physiotherapy
spelling doaj-art-9588b8cf04fb4a758c66ef5d84ba339f2025-08-20T03:15:56ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Physiotherapy0379-61752410-82192025-02-01811e1e810.4102/sajp.v81i1.21171603The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case reportLaeeqa Sujee0Sacha Hildebrandt1Amy Harrison2Christa Matjekane3Thabiso Mmoledi4Sonti Pilusa5Kganetso Sekome6Adedayo T. Ajidahun7Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative, JohannesburgPhila Sonke Wellness Initiative, JohannesburgDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative, JohannesburgPhila Sonke Wellness Initiative, JohannesburgPhila Sonke Wellness Initiative, JohannesburgDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative, JohannesburgIntroduction: Stroke is one of the global leading causes of disability, with a higher prevalence at a younger age in sub-Saharan Africa. Returning to functional status is a primary goal of rehabilitation for stroke survivors. However, the cost of intensive rehabilitation is often a barrier for the under-resourced in South Africa. Patient presentation: This article describes the individualised ‘return-to-function’ approach to rehabilitation and its outcomes for five stroke survivors delivered through a non-profit public–private partnership in a low-income community in South Africa. Management and outcome: A retrospective case series of stroke survivors who participated in the Bounce Back Journey (BBJ) programme between 2019 and 2021 was conducted. The beneficiaries’ ages ranged from 21 to 55 years; two were females and three were males. The goals and outcomes of five stroke survivors with impairments, functional limitations and participation restrictions admitted into the BBJ programme were evaluated through standardised outcome measures. All the beneficiaries required financial support and extensive rehabilitation to return to a functional life. All showed improved outcomes in functional independence and health-related quality of life at discharge. Depressive symptoms clinically deteriorated in one patient. At discharge, all participants faced challenges finding opportunities to return to work. Conclusion: The case series demonstrates how an alternative community-based rehabilitation programme has the potential to improve functionality, health-related quality of life and mental health. Contribution: A low-cost, community-based, intensive rehabilitation programme can improve functionality, but return to work and community re-integration opportunities remain limited.https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2117strokegoal settingreturn to workquality of lifeparticipationmental health
spellingShingle Laeeqa Sujee
Sacha Hildebrandt
Amy Harrison
Christa Matjekane
Thabiso Mmoledi
Sonti Pilusa
Kganetso Sekome
Adedayo T. Ajidahun
The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
stroke
goal setting
return to work
quality of life
participation
mental health
title The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report
title_full The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report
title_fullStr The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report
title_full_unstemmed The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report
title_short The ‘Bounce Back’ rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa – a case report
title_sort bounce back rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in south africa a case report
topic stroke
goal setting
return to work
quality of life
participation
mental health
url https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2117
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