Instructional Course 6
Tracks
Breakout 2
| Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM |
Overview
Turning Evidence into Action: Implementation Strategies for Motor Restoration and Spasticity, Bone Health, and Rehabilitation Engagement
Details
Despite significant advances in rehabilitation research, the translation of evidence-based interventions into routine clinical practice for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an ongoing challenge. Implementation science provides structured approaches to bridging this gap by identifying strategies to effectively integrate research findings into real-world settings. This presentation highlights the application of implementation science to three priority areas for improving outcomes in SCI: (1) enhancing motor function and reducing spasticity, (2) promoting bone health to mitigate osteoporosis and fracture risk, and (3) increasing patient engagement in rehabilitation programs. Drawing on current research and illustrative case examples, we will explore the barriers and facilitators to translating evidence in these domains, emphasizing how the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) cycle can guide the process of moving from knowledge creation to practical application. The KTA cycle provides a dynamic framework for adapting evidence to local contexts, assessing barriers, selecting tailored implementation strategies, and evaluating outcomes to ensure sustained uptake. We will also discuss complementary implementation frameworks, such as the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and practical tools for engaging stakeholders, building capacity, and fostering organizational change. Attendees will gain insight into actionable strategies for advancing knowledge translation efforts that transform care delivery and improve functional outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with SCI.
Presenter (only the submitting author is listed below; co-presenters, where applicable, will be listed in the conference app)
Prof Allen Heinemann
Professor
Northwestern University
Turning Evidence into Action: Implementation Strategies for Motor Restoration and Spasticity, Bone Health, and Rehabilitation Engagement
Biography
Dr. Heinemann directs a rehabilitation-focused health services research program at the Shirley Ryan Abil-ityLab and has expertise in outcomes measurement. He contributed to development of the Orthotics Prosthetics User Survey (OPUS), the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement System (PROMIS), the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (NeuroQOL) measurement system, the TBI Quality of Life Meas-urement System, the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Index (SCI-FI), and the Substance Abuse for Voca-tional Rehabilitation Screener (SAVRS), among others. The Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research developed the Rehabilitation Measures Database, an on-line compendium of systematic reviews of outcome instruments that are suitable for research and clinical applications. He provides leadership for Northwestern University’s integrated post-doctoral fellowship program in Health Services and Out-comes Research.