Witness Mudzi

Academic rank: 
Professor
Email: 
w.mudzi@ur.ac.rw
Telephone: 
+250796591893
College: 
College of Medicine and Health Sciences(CMHS)
School/centre: 
School of Health Sciences
Department: 
Physiotherapy
Published Papers : 
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

1. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v57i4.516

2. Mkondo T, Mudzi W, Mbambo NP. 2007. Factors Influencing Zimbabwean Physiotherapy Students in Choosing Physiotherapy as a Career. South African Journal of Physiotherapy; 63(3): 26 – 31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v63i3.140

3. Mamabolo MV, Mudzi W, Stewart AS, Mbambo NP, Olorunju S. 2008. The influence of demographic, environmental and physical factors on functional independence post-stroke. South African Journal of Physiotherapy; 64 (3): 19 – 22. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v64i3.110

4. Van Aswegen H, Eales, C, Goosen J, Becker P, Mudzi W. 2008. The Effect of Penetrating Trunk Trauma on the Recovery of Adult Survivors: A Pilot Study. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice; 24(2): 95 - 104.

5. Mamabolo MV, Mudzi W, Stewart AS, Olorunju S, Singh A. 2009. A study to determine post-discharge functional improvements in patients with stroke. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy; 39 (1): 15 – 18

6. Naude B, Mudzi W, Mamabolo MV, Becker PJ 2009 Low back pain among hospital employees in Gauteng, South Africa: Point Prevalence and associated factors. Occupational Health Southern Africa; 15(3): 24- 30

7. Olivier B, Mudzi W, Mamabolo MV and Becker PJ 2010 The Association between Psychological Stress and Low Back Pain among District Hospital Employees in Gauteng, South Africa. The South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 66 (2): 17-21. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v66i2.63

8. H. van Aswegen, H. Myezwa, W. Mudzi, P. Becker 2011 Health-related quality of life of survivors of penetrating trunk trauma in Johannesburg, South Africa. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg; 37: 419 – 426. (DOI 10.1007/s00068-010-0071-4)

9. Naidoo V, Mudzi W, Ntsiea V, Becker PJ 2012 Physiotherapy Modalities used in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain. The South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 68(1): 42 – 46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v68i1.8

10. Mudzi W, Stewart A, Musenge E 2012 Effect of Carer Education on Functional Abilities of Patients with Stroke. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 19(7): 380 - 385

11. Mudzi W, Stewart A, Musenge E 2012 Case fatality of patients with stroke over a 12 months period post stroke. South African Medical Journal, 102(9): 765 – 767

12. Mudzi W, Stewart A, Musenge E 2012 Community participation of patients with stroke 12
months post-stroke in Johannesburg, South Africa. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2012;4(1) (accepted for publication August 2012), http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v4i1.426

13. Haffejee S, Ntsiea V, Mudzi W 2013 Factors that influence functional mobility outcomes of patients after traumatic brain injury. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy. 23: 39 – 44.     DOI: https://dx.org/10.1016/j.hkjot.2013.08.001

14. Hilton J, Mudzi W, Ntsiea V, Olorunju S. 2013. Caregiver strain and quality of life six to 36 months post stroke. South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Wits Special Edition; 69(4): a382. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v69i4.382

15. Olivier B, Naidoo V, Humphries C, Godlwana L, Romm M, Ntsiea V, Van Aswegen H, Myezwa H, Roos R, Mudzi W, Potterton J, Watt B, Maleka D, Mtshali S, Stewart A. 2013. Inter-examiner reliability when using the objective structured practical examination (OSPE) mark sheet for physiotherapy practical examinations. South African   Journal   of   Physiotherapy;   Wits   Special   Edition;    69(4):    a375. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v69i4.375.

16. Pather D, Mudzi W. 2013. An Audit of the Physiotherapy Management of Paraplegic Patients with Sacral Pressure Sores. South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Wits Special Edition; 69(4): a380. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v69i4.380

17. Myezwa H, Stewart A, Mudzi W. 2013. Editorial for the special edition of the South African Journal of Physiotherapy to celebrate the Physiotherapy Department of the University of the Witwatersrand’s 75th Anniversary. South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Wits Special Edition; 69(4): a385 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v69i4.385

18. Humphries C, Potterton J, Mudzi W. 2014. A Pilot Study to Investigate the Muscle Strength of Children Infected with HIV. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation; 21(1): 19
– 24

19. Olivier B, Naidoo V, Mudzi W, Van Aswegen H, Potterton J, Myezwa H, Roos R, Godlwana L, Maleka D, Mtshali S, Ntsiea V, Stewart A, Romm M, Humphries C, Watt B. 2015. The Implementation of the Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) Method: Students’ and Examiners. African Journal of Health Professions Education. 7(1): 16 – 21.

20. Duff N, Ntsiea MV, Mudzi W. 2014. Factors that influence return to work after stroke. Occupational Health Southern Africa. 20(3): 4 - 10.

21. Sellschop I, Myezwa H, Mudzi W, Mbambo-Kekana NP. 2015. The effect of a computer- related ergonomic intervention program on learners in a school environment. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation. 51(4): 869-77. DOI: 10.3233/WOR-141906.

22. Basson CA, Stewart A, Mudzi W. 2014. The effect of neural mobilisation on cervico- brachial pain: design of a randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Dec 10; 15:419. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-419.

23. Basson A, Olivier B, Ellis R, Coppieters M, Stewart A, Mudzi W. 2015. The effect of neural mobilisation on cervico- brachial pain: a systematic review protocol. JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 13(1): 65-75. DOI: 11124/jbisrir-2015-1401.

24. Ajidahun AT, Mudzi W, Myezwa H, Wood W. 2016. Upper extremity disability among string instrumentalists – use of the quick DASH and the NDI. Cogent Medicine, 3: 1234535

25. Ajidahun AT, Mudzi W, Wood W, Myezwa H. 2017. Musculoskeletal problems among string instrumentalists in South Africa. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. Vol 73, No 1:327. DOI: 10.4102/sajp.v73i1.

26. Basson A, Olivier B, Ellis R, Coppieters M, Stewart A, Mudzi W. 2017. The effectiveness of neural mobilisation for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review and meta- analysis. 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 47(9):593-615. DOI:  https://10.2519/jospt.2017.7117. Epub 2017 Jul 13.

27. Roos R, Van Aswegen H, Mudzi W. 2017. Functional status and physical impairments of adult patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus admitted to hospital: a scoping review protocol. JBI Database System Reviews and Implementation Reports 15 (5): 1242-1248. DOI: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2016-003005

28. Ntsiea MV, Mudzi W, Comley-White N, Van Aswegen H, Olivier B, Roos R, Pilusa S, Potterton J, Myezwa H, Benjamin N, Naidoo V. 2017. University of the Witwatersrand physiotherapy undergraduate curriculum alignment to medical conditions of patients within Gauteng state health facilities. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. Vol 73(1): 362. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v73i1.362.

29. Sellschop IV, Myezwa H, Mudzi W, Musenge E. 2018. Ergonomic behaviour of learners in a digitally driven school environment: Modification using an ergonomic intervention programme. S Afr J Physiother. 74(1):348. DOI: 10.4102/sajp.v74i1.348. eCollection 2018.

30. Comley-White N, Mudzi W, Musenge E. 2018. Effects of shoulder strapping in patients with stroke: A randomised control trial. South African Journal of Physiotherapy Vol 74 (1) a430; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v74i1.430

31. Janse van Rensburg J, Ntsiea MV, Mudzi W. 2018. The differences in functional recovery between stroke survivors who are HIV positive and those who are HIV negative. Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 64(4): 314-321; DOI:  https://10.5606/tftrd.2018.1708

32. Ajidahun AT, Myezwa H, Mudzi W, Wood W. 2019. Barriers and facilitators in implementing an exercise based injury prevention programme for string players. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. 64(4): 713-720;  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-193033
33. Ajidahun AT, Myezwa H, Mudzi W, Wood W. 2019. A scoping review of exercise intervention for playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) among musicians. Muziki. 16(1): 7 – 30; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/18125980.2019.1606675

34. Basson CA, Stewart A, Mudzi W, Musenge E. 2020.The effect of neural mobilisation for nerve related neck and arm pain: a randomised clinical trial. Physiotherapy Canada. Vol 72 (4): 408 – 419. DOI: https://10.3138/ptc-2018-0056

35. Van Wyk H, Mudzi W, Janse Van Vuuren C, Musenge E. 2020. Biodex© training for postural stability in the upper trunk of stroke patients: A pilot study. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. Vol 76 (1): a1416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v76i1.1416

36. Briel S, Olivier B, Mudzi W. 2020. An electromyographic and kinematic study of the scapular stabilisers. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. Vol 76 (1), No 1 a1413. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v76i1.1413

37. Mnguni N, Olivier B, Mosselson J, Mudzi W. 2021. The prevalence of concurrent headache and temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis.Vol 19 (1): 263 - 269. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-D-19-00255

38. Ntsiea V, Mudzi W, Maleka D, Comley-White N, Pilusa S. 2022. Barriers and facilitators of using outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation in South Africa. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. E-publication. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2020.0126

39. Briel S, Benita B, Mudzi W. 2022. Scapular Force Couple Ratios in Healthy Shoulders– An Observational Study Depicting Typical Values. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. South African Journal of Physiotherapy 78(1), a1619. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v78i1.1619   

40. Comley-White N, Mudzi W,  Gouws H. 2022. Community reintegration of people with traumatic brain injury in South Africa. Brain Injury. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2022.2111027

41. Mudzi PY, Mudzi W. 2022. Navigating postgraduate research during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. Curationis 45 (1), 2373. Vol 45(1), a2373. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v45i1.2373

42. Bijl T, Mudzi W, Comley-White N. 2023. Predictors of patient length of stay post stroke rehabilitation. African Health Sciences. Vol 23 (2), 543-52

43. Magida N, Myezwa H, Mudzi W. 2023. Factors Informing the Development of a Clinical Pathway and Patients’ Quality of Life after a Non-Union Fracture of the Lower Limb. Healthcare. Vol 11 (12), 1810

44. Chiwaridzo M, Shumba T, Kamba F, Geurtze E, Von Der Heiden  C,  Mudzi W. 2024.  Utilisation of Standardised Outcomes Measures by Clinical Physiotherapists Working in Namibia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study. Malawi Medical Journal. Vol 36(1), 23 -29.

45. Mudzi, W. 2024. South African physiotherapy: Moving forward with innovation in rehabilitation and the National Health Insurance scheme’, South African Journal of Physiotherapy 80(1), a2138. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp. v80i1.2138

46. Chiwaridzo M, Shumba T, Kamba F, Geurtze E, Von Der Heiden  C,  Mudzi W. 2025.  Perceived facilitators and barriers to routine utilisation of standardised outcome measures among Physiotherapists in Namibia. Ghana Medical Journal. Accepted for Publication May 2025.
47. Botha W, Magida N, Mudzi W, Bello B. 2025. Predictors of return to work amongst mine workers following on-duty injury: A scoping review. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. Accepted for Publication April 2025.

48. Mudzi W. 2025. First contact, last priority? Reimagining physiotherapy in primary health care. South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 81, No 1 | a2295 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2295

BOOK and CHAPTER PUBLICATION/S

1. Mudzi W. 2013. Caregiver Education Post Stroke. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. ISSN Number: 9783843377690.

2. Mudzi W, Van Aswegen H and Morrow BM. 2015. Chapter in book: Chapter 8: Spinal Cord Injuries in book titled Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy in trauma: An evidence-based approach. Imperial College Press. ISBN Number: 978-1-78326-651-7.; Pg. 371 -452

3. Ajidahun A, Myezwa H, Mudzi W, Wood W. 2020. Development of an Exercise Program for the Prevention of Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Problems among Violinists. In book: Perspectives in Performing Arts Medicine Practice. 73 – 100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-  3-030-37480-8_6

PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
1. Mudzi W, Stewart A, Connor M. 2007. Demographics and Level of Function of Patients with Stroke: A South African Hospital Account. Physiotherapy 93(S1): S702.

2. Basson CA, Olivier B, Ellis R, Stewart A, Mudzi W. 2015. The Effectiveness of Neuralmobilisation in the Treatment of neuro-Musculoskeletal conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physiotherapy 2015; Volume 101, Supplement 1 eS26–eS426

3. Comley-White N, Mudzi W, Musenge E. 2015. A comparison of two shoulder strapping techniques for patients with stroke. Physiotherapy, Vol. 101, e261

4. Mudzi W, Stewart A, Musenge E. 2015. Caregiver strain and associated factors 12 months post stroke: impact of caregiver education. Physiotherapy, Vol. 101, e1055


 
Brief profile: 
"I am a Full Professor in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Rwanda, with extensive experience in higher education, research management, and postgraduate support. I am the Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Physiotherapy and have held senior leadership positions, including Director of the Centre for Graduate Support at the University of the Free State. From 2018 to 2023, I was a Visiting Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand before being appointed Professor and Project Manager. Currently, I serve on the South African Department of Higher Education and Training’s research outputs evaluation sub-panel for Medical and Health Sciences (2025–2027). My career reflects deep expertise in implementing quality assurance frameworks, aligning departmental and faculty research strategies with institutional visions, and enhancing research productivity and innovation. I have contributed to undergraduate and postgraduate education through teaching, policy implementation, clinical training, and leadership roles such as Head of Department and programme coordinator. I have also worked to diversify staff and student representation, served on staffing and promotions committees, and acted as an external examiner for universities across Africa. My research expertise is in Neurology, Higher Education and Public Health. My strengths lie in teamwork, strategic planning, attention to detail, and fostering collaboration across diverse backgrounds. "
Research Area: 
Neurology; Higher Education; Public Health; Research ID number (ORCID):0000-0003-4818-5318