Developing a Holistic Framework for Personalized Rehabilitation Therapy Planning

Thesis Abstract

Rehabilitation therapy planning has traditionally been individualized, yet it often lacks an integrated framework that comprehensively considers the multifaceted factors influencing patient recovery outcomes. This study addresses the persistent gap in clinical practice by developing a holistic framework aimed at optimizing personalized rehabilitation strategies through an interdisciplinary and patient-centered approach. The primary aim is to construct, validate, and evaluate a comprehensive model that integrates biological, psychological, social, and environmental determinants to inform therapy planning. The specific objectives include (1) identifying critical determinants influencing rehabilitation outcomes; (2) synthesizing relevant theoretical perspectives with empirical evidence; (3) developing a preliminary holistic framework; (4) assessing the framework’s applicability and validity in clinical settings; and (5) providing actionable recommendations for practitioners and policymakers. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis to ensure robustness and depth in understanding. The qualitative phase involves semi-structured interviews with 30 selected clinicians specializing in physical and neurological rehabilitation across five tertiary hospitals, focusing on their perspectives regarding factors influencing therapy success. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s methodology, will be utilized to identify recurring themes and key determinants. The quantitative phase involves a survey of 200 rehabilitation patients selected through stratified random sampling to capture diversity in age, gender, and clinical condition. The survey instrument, developed based on literature review and qualitative findings, incorporates validated scales to measure physical status (e.g., Functional Independence Measure), psychological well-being (e.g., Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), social support (e.g., Social Support Questionnaire), and environmental factors (e.g., Environmental Accessibility Quotient). Data analysis will employ exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to determine the underlying dimensions of the proposed framework, while multiple regression analysis will assess the relative contribution of identified factors to rehabilitation outcomes. The study also draws upon and integrates two relevant theories the Biopsychosocial Model of Health, which emphasizes the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors, and the Ecological Systems Theory, which considers environmental influences on individual functioning. These theoretical foundations underpin the development of the holistic framework, ensuring it encapsulates the complex, multi-layered influences on rehabilitation progress. Expected findings include a validated, empirically grounded model comprising key domains—biological, psychological, social, and environmental—each with measurable subcomponents. The analysis anticipates that psychological and social factors will significantly moderate the relationship between biological impairments and functional outcomes, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary and tailored approach. The framework is expected to demonstrate high construct validity (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha > 0.80 for subscales) and explanatory power (e.g., R-squared > 0.65) in predicting therapy success. This research contributes to knowledge by offering an integrative, evidence-based model that bridges theoretical constructs with clinical practice, advancing personalized rehabilitation planning. It underscores the necessity of adopting a holistic, patient-centered paradigm that transcends traditional biomedical models, endorsing multidisciplinary collaboration and contextualized interventions. In conclusion, the developed framework holds promise for enhancing rehabilitation outcomes by guiding clinicians to adopt a comprehensive assessment and planning process. Recommendations include integrating the framework into clinical protocols, training rehabilitation teams on its application, and fostering policy reforms that support holistic practice. Future research should focus on longitudinal validation of the model across diverse clinical conditions and settings, as well as exploring technology-driven adaptations to facilitate individualized rehabilitation planning at scale.