IMPACT OF GROUP-BASED PHYSIOTHERAPY ON SOCIAL REINTEGRATION IN POST-ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY PATIENTS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/08yce711Keywords:
Community health, Functional recovery, Group exercise therapy, Low-income populations, Orthopedic rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Social reintegration, South Punjab, Surgery recovery, Therapeutic exerciseAbstract
Background: Post-orthopedic surgery recovery extends beyond physical healing, encompassing psychological well-being and social reintegration. In low-income communities, limited access to individualized rehabilitation services often hampers comprehensive recovery. Group-based physiotherapy has emerged as a promising model that combines physical rehabilitation with peer support and social engagement, potentially addressing both functional and psychosocial recovery dimensions.
Objective: To assess the impact of structured group physiotherapy on physical recovery and social reintegration among post-orthopedic surgery patients in low-income communities of South Punjab.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 120 post-surgical orthopedic patients, equally divided into group-based physiotherapy and standard individual physiotherapy arms. Over a 12-week period, both groups participated in thrice-weekly supervised sessions. Functional recovery was evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), while social reintegration was assessed using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI). Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA for normally distributed data.
Results: Participants receiving group-based physiotherapy demonstrated significantly higher improvements in FIM (mean increase: 18.6 ± 4.3 vs. 13.2 ± 3.8; p < 0.001) and LEFS scores (mean increase: 21.4 ± 5.1 vs. 15.7 ± 4.9; p = 0.002) compared with the control group. The RNLI scores revealed enhanced social participation and self-reported confidence in the group therapy cohort (mean difference: 6.8 ± 2.4; p < 0.001). Additionally, participants in the group-based program reported greater satisfaction and motivation toward recovery.
Conclusion: Group-based physiotherapy significantly improved both physical recovery and social reintegration outcomes in post-orthopedic surgery patients within low-income settings. The integration of social interaction within rehabilitation frameworks can enhance recovery efficiency and overall well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ramsha Masood, Mamoona Tasleem Afzal, Muhammad Shakir Khan, Haseeb Muhammad Khan (Author)
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