Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42464854›Full record

ArticleJournal of rehabilitation medicine2026

Theories, models, and frameworks in implementation science in the context of rehabilitation research: a scoping review.

Maarit Karhula, Hennariikka Heinijoki, Riitta Seppänen-Järvelä

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Maarit KarhulaThe Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela, Finland. maarit.karhula@kela.fi.ORCID 0000-0003-0464-202X
Hennariikka HeinijokiThe Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-0576-5753
Riitta Seppänen-JärveläThe Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela, Finland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis review explores the use of implementation science theories, models, and frameworks in rehabilitation research by describing study characteristics and assessing how the applied theories, models, and frameworks align with study purposes.

methodsIn the scoping review, peer-reviewed articles published in English between January 2010 and October 2023 were identified from 5 datbases. Eligible studies applied or were informed by implementation science theories, models, and frameworks in any rehabilitation cotext. Data extraction covered publication characteristics, target populations, setings, study designs, used theories, models, and frameworks, and study purposes.  Descriptive statistics and deductive analysis were used to synthesize findings.

resultsOf 2,277 citations, 121 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles focused on neurological and paediatric rehabilitation, with qualitative and mixed-methods designs predominating. A total of 34 theories, models, and frameworks were identified, mainly determinant frameworks and process models. Theories, models, and frameworks were primarily used to identify barriers and facilitators, evaluate implementation outcomes, and describe implementation processes. However, theories, models, and frameworks selection did not always align with the study purpose.

conclusionThe use of theories, models, and frameworks in rehabilitation research is increasing but remains limited. Their systematic and purposeful application is needed to enhance the usability and transferability of research findings, thereby bridging the research-practice gap, sustaining evidence-based interventions, and informing policy.

Indexed as

Implementation ScienceModels, TheoreticalRehabilitation ResearchHumansResearch Design

Identifiers

PMID42464854
PMCPMC13389747

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.