Article

Intervention fidelity is concerned with the extent to which
interventions are implemented as intended. Consideration of fidelity is essential
if the conclusions of effectiveness studies are to be credible, but little
attention has been given to it in the rehabilitation literature. We describe our
experiences addressing fidelity in the development of a rehabilitation clinical
trial, and consider how an existing model of fidelity may be employed in
rehabilitation research. Methods: We used a model and methods drawn from the
psychology literature to investigate how fidelity might be maximised during the
planning and development of a stroke rehabilitation trial. We considered fidelity
in intervention design, provider training, and the behaviour of providers and
participants. We also evaluated methods of assessing fidelity during a trial.
Results: We identified strategies to help address fidelity in our trial protocol,
along with their potential strengths and limitations. We incorporated these
strategies into a model of fidelity that is appropriate to the concepts and
language of rehabilitation. Conclusion: A range of strategies are appropriate to
help maximise and measure fidelity in rehabilitation research. Based on our
experiences, we propose a model of fidelity and provide recommendations to inform
the growing literature of fidelity in this discipline.

Langue : ANGLAIS