Frameworks used to evaluate community-based rehabilitation interventions: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Rehabilitation Science
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is vital for enhancing the well-being of individuals with disabilities.
• Existing evaluation methods for CBR interventions lack universal acceptance, hindering policy integration and effectiveness.
• A standardized framework for CBR evaluation is currently absent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically explore and assess theoretical frameworks used for evaluating CBR interventions.
• To evaluate the suitability, context-specific applicability, and cultural relevance of existing CBR evaluation frameworks.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of the literature was conducted.
• Searches included major databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EBSCOhost, Web of Science) using broad keywords related to CBR and evaluation frameworks.
• Full-text English articles published between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed using narrative synthesis.

Main Results:

• No single evaluation framework is universally recognized as superior for CBR interventions.
• The CBR matrix and CBR guidelines were frequently adapted and combined for context-specific evaluations.
• Adaptation of frameworks is common to meet specific contextual and cultural needs.

Conclusions:

• Cultural relevance and context specificity are crucial for effective CBR intervention evaluation.
• Measuring outcomes at the individual level is considered most appropriate.
• There is an ongoing need for standardized yet adaptable evaluation frameworks and instruments for CBR interventions.