Evaluating the Dissemination and Implementation Impact of a Rehabilitation Intervention: The Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP)

Abstract

Purpose:
To evaluate the dissemination and implementation impacts of a rehabilitation intervention.

Methods:
Systematic evaluation of data sources including academic publishing metrics, publications, and surveys was used to describe the dissemination and implementation impact of the graded repetitive arm supplementary program (GRASP). Three categories in the Payback Framework were evaluated: knowledge production and dissemination, benefits to future research and research use, and real-world uptake and implementation.

Results:
In the Knowledge production and dissemination category, seven publications, authored by the GRASP research team, were associated with the GRASP, and there were approximately 17,000 download counts of GRASP manuals from the website from 120 countries. In the Benefits to future research and research use category, 15 studies and 8 registered clinical trials, authored by researchers outside of the GRASP team, have used GRASP as an intervention. In the real-world uptake and implementation category, GRASP has informed recommendations in 2 clinical guidelines and 20 review papers, and had high implementation uptake (e.g., 35% [53/154] of UK therapists surveyed had used GRASP; 95% [649/681] who downloaded GRASP had used it). More than 75% of those who had used GRASP identified that GRASP provides more intensity in upper extremity rehabilitation, is evidence-based and easy to implement, and the equipment and manual are easy to obtain.

Conclusion:
The Payback Framework is useful to evaluate the dissemination and implementation impacts of a rehabilitation intervention. GRASP has been implemented extensively in clinical practice and community in a relatively short time since it has been developed.