Artificial Intelligence in Physical Rehabilitation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in physical rehabilitation across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), providing innovative solutions to persistent challenges such as workforce shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and socioeconomic disparities. This scoping review examines the role of AI-driven technologies in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and addressing service delivery gaps, mainly through telerehabilitation and digital rehabilitation platforms. Findings from six studies indicate that AI-supported interventions significantly improved therapy adherence by 30–50%, enhanced patient mobility by 30–50%, and increased functional independence by up to 45% compared to traditional rehabilitation methods. These technologies have effectively improved access and engagement, especially among stroke and pediatric populations. However, implementing these technologies faces several obstacles, including low digital literacy (with only 27% of adults proficient), poor rural internet access (affecting 39% of facilities), economic constraints, a cultural reliance on traditional medicine, and insufficient data protection regulations. Strategic policies, such as government-supported AI initiatives, improved digital infrastructure, provider training programs, and robust privacy laws, are vital to fully harnessing AI's potential in rehabilitation. AI can help catalyze equitable and effective rehabilitation across SSA by addressing these challenges. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47787/q8j59e27