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AbstractPurposeMethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo develop an in-depth understanding of spinal cord injury (SCI) researchers’ barriers and facilitators to deciding to use 1) a partnered approach to research and, 2) systematically developed principles for guiding Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) in spinal cord injury research (IKT Guiding Principles).Qualitative interview study with North American SCI researchers who were interested in using a partnered research approach. The research was conducted using an IKT approach, and interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Thirteen SCI researchers whose research focused on prevention, clinical, rehabilitation, and/or community SCI research were interviewed. Three themes were co-constructed with partners: 1) the principles are necessary but not sufficient for the implementation of a partnered approach to research; 2) relational capacity building is needed; and 3) institutional transformation is needed to value, resource, and support meaningful engagement.Supporting change that enables SCI researchers to adopt and implement the IKT Guiding Principles will require transformation at the individual (theme 1), relational (theme 2), and institutional levels (theme 3). Findings provide clear, practical, and tangible actions to promote change that can support meaningful engagement in the SCI Research System.Providing researchers with clear, procedural information and strategies to use each of the Integrated Knowledge Translation Guiding Principles in practice can support the implementation of the principles and partnered research in rehabilitation-based research.Fostering and evaluating resources and initiatives that help researchers network, build connections, and receive mentorship could help spinal cord injury researchers partner more effectively.Academic, research, and funding systems must ensure their practices, structures, culture, and processes enable, value, resource, support, and/or incentivize partnered research to ensure the research being conducted is relevant and useful in addressing the needs and priorities of research users.Providing researchers with clear, procedural information and strategies to use each of the Integrated Knowledge Translation Guiding Principles in practice can support the implementation of the principles and partnered research in rehabilitation-based research.Fostering and evaluating resources and initiatives that help researchers network, build connections, and receive mentorship could help spinal cord injury researchers partner more effectively.Academic, research, and funding systems must ensure their practices, structures, culture, and processes enable, value, resource, support, and/or incentivize partnered research to ensure the research being conducted is relevant and useful in addressing the needs and priorities of research users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research partnerships, while promising for ensuring translation of relevant and useable findings, are challenging and need support. This study aimed to apply behavior change theory to understand and support researchers' adoption of a research partnership approach and the Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) Guiding Principles for conducting and disseminating spinal cord injury (SCI) research in partnership. Using an IKT approach, SCI researchers across Canada and the USA completed a survey (n = 22) and were interviewed (n = 13) to discuss barriers and facilitators to deciding to partner and follow the IKT Guiding Principles. The Behaviour Change Wheel, Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and Mode of Delivery Ontology were used to develop the survey, interview questions, and guided analyses of interview data. COM-B and TDF factors were examined using descriptive statistics and abductive analyses of barriers and facilitators of decisions to partner and/or use the IKT Guiding Principles. TDF domains from the interview transcripts were then used to identify intervention, content, and implementation options. 142 factors (79 barriers, 63 facilitators) related to deciding to partner, and 292 factors (187 barriers, 105 facilitators) related to deciding to follow the IKT Guiding Principles were identified. Barriers to partnering or use the IKT Guiding Principles were primarily related to capability and opportunity and relevant intervention options were recommended. Interventions must support researchers in understanding how to partner and use the IKT Guiding Principles while navigating a research system, which is not always supportive of the necessary time and costs required for meaningful research partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reported on the reach, effectiveness, and maintenance dimensions of a RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) analysis to evaluate Praxis 2016, a conference aimed to develop solutions to overcome challenges to translating research into practice in the spinal cord injury (SCI) community. Reach indicators were collected from the Praxis 2016 organizing committee. For effectiveness and maintenance, attendees (n = 106) completed a questionnaire pre-, post-, and 9-month post-Praxis 2016 assessing (a) capability (e.g., knowledge), (b) motivation, (c) opportunities, and (d) the groups they currently, need to, and/or plan to work with to develop solutions to overcome the challenges of translating SCI research into practice. They also reported their satisfaction with Praxis 2016. Qualitative interviews with attendees and organizers post-Praxis 2016 were conducted. Praxis 2016 reached 28% of their intended audience. For effectiveness, attendees' knowledge significantly increased (t(59)= 3.83, p <.001), they reported a greater need to work with members within the SCI community from pre- to post-Praxis 2016, and were generally satisfied with Praxis 2016. Regarding maintenance, more attendees reported needing to work with researchers, clinicians and SCI community organizations at 9-month post-Praxis 2016. The interviewees reported increased knowledge and capacity to network with the SCI community, but highlighted concerns for the long-term impact of Praxis 2016. Praxis 2016 was an effective approach to create short-term change in knowledge, and to expand knowledge translation networks. Further efforts could build on Praxis 2016 to foster long-term success in overcoming the challenges in translating SCI research into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Diffusion of innovations theory has been widely used to explain knowledge mobilization of research findings. This theory posits that individuals who are more interpersonally connected within an organization may be more likely to adopt an innovation (e.g., research evidence) than individuals who are less interconnected. Research examining this tenet of diffusion of innovations theory in the knowledge mobilization literature is limited. The purpose of the present study was to use network analysis to examine the role of interpersonal communication in the adoption and mobilization of the physical activity guidelines for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) among staff in a community-based organization (CBO). Methods The study used a cross-sectional, whole-network design. In total, 56 staff completed the network survey. Adoption of the guidelines was assessed using Rogers' innovation-decision process and interpersonal communication was assessed using an online network instrument. Results The patterns of densities observed within the network were indicative of a core-periphery structure revealing that interpersonal communication was greater within the core than between the core and periphery and within the periphery. Membership in the core, as opposed to membership in the periphery, was associated with greater knowledge of the evidence-based physical activity resources available and engagement in physical activity promotion behaviours (ps < 0.05). Greater in-degree centrality was associated with adoption of evidence-based behaviours (p < 0.05). Conclusions Findings suggest that interpersonal communication is associated with knowledge mobilization and highlight how the network structure could be improved for further dissemination efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few validated guidelines exist for developing messages in health promotion practice. In clinical practice, the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research, and Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument is the international gold standard for guideline assessment, development, and reporting. In a case study format, this paper describes the application of the AGREE II principles to guide the development of health promotion guidelines for constructing messages to supplement the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (CPAG) released in 2011. Methods: The AGREE II items were modified to suit the objectives of developing messages that (1) clarify key components of the new CPAG and (2) motivate Canadians to meet the CPAG. The adapted AGREE II Instrument was used as a systematic guide for the recommendation development process. Over a two-day meeting, five workgroups (one for each CPAG - child, youth, adult, older adult - and one overarching group) of five to six experts (including behavior change, messaging, and exercise physiology researchers, key stakeholders, and end users) reviewed and discussed evidence for creating and targeting messages to supplement the new CPAG. Recommendations were summarized and reviewed by workgroup experts. The recommendations were pilot tested among end users and then finalized by the workgroup. Results: The AGREE II was a useful tool in guiding the development of evidence-based specific recommendations for constructing and disseminating messages that supplement and increase awareness of the new CPAG (child, youth, adults, and older adults). The process also led to the development of sample messages and provision of a rationale alongside the recommendations. Conclusions: To our knowledge, these are the first set of evidence-informed recommendations for constructing and disseminating messages supplementing physical activity guidelines. This project also represents the first application of international standards for guideline development (i.e., AGREE II) to the creation of practical recommendations specifically aimed to inform health promotion and public health practice. The messaging recommendations have the potential to increase the public health impact of evidence-based guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]