An ICF-based interdisciplinary case management improves functioning, participation, and well-being for people with disabilities in community rehabilitation: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

TL;DR

This study tests if using the ICF framework in community rehabilitation improves outcomes for people with physical disabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a structured ICF-based interdisciplinary case management model for community rehabilitation.

Findings

The trial will assess functioning, participation, and well-being outcomes using standardized tools.

Findings may influence disability care policies and interprofessional training.

Data analysis will use intention-to-treat and GLMMs to evaluate effectiveness.

Abstract

Community-delivered rehabilitation (CDR) aims to empower people with disabilities and promote their social inclusion. However, conventional multidisciplinary approaches often lack integration and personalised coordination. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) offers a structured framework that facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration, case management and person-centred care. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an ICF-based interdisciplinary case management model in improving functioning, participation, and subjective well-being among adults with physical disabilities receiving home-based community rehabilitation, compared with usual multidisciplinary care.

This is a six-month, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Sixty participants will be recruited and randomly assigned via block randomisation to either an intervention group receiving structured ICF-based interdisciplinary case management or a control group receiving usual multidisciplinary care. The inclusion criteria were adults with physical disabilities eligible for CDR; exclusion criteria included severe cognitive impairment or inability to provide informed consent. The intervention consists of ICF-based assessments using the ICF Rehabilitation Set and Minimal Set of Environmental Factors, collaborative goal setting, monthly interdisciplinary case conferences, and coordinated care planning. The primary outcomes are functioning (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, 36-item version) and well-being (Satisfaction with Life Scale). The secondary outcomes are changes in ICF qualifiers and therapist-related clinical outcomes (Australian Therapy Outcome Measures). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and six months. Data will be analysed via intention-to-treat principles and generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs). Recruitment began in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by December 2025, with follow-up concluded by July 2026.

This trial will generate empirical evidence on the use of the ICF as a framework for structured interdisciplinary case management in CDR. The findings may inform service planning, interprofessional training, and policy development to promote holistic, person-centred disability care.

Clinical Trial Registration:
https://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowprojectEN.html?id=284308&v=1.0.

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