Article

Knowledge generated by research into the control of posture and gait has many
implications for individuals with balance and mobility impairments. Communicating
such knowledge through conference presentations and peer-reviewed manuscripts is
appropriate for some audiences, but does not effectively reach all potential
knowledge users (for example: clinicians, policy-makers, and the public).
Expanding interest in promoting evidence-based decision-making and practice to
ensure that research results reach the target end-user has lead to the emergence
of the field of knowledge translation (KT). The focus of KT is to improve the
dissemination and uptake of knowledge in decision-making, and is grounded in a
number of theoretical frameworks and its own rapidly expanding literature base.
As many general principles of KT can be applied to the optimization of balance
and mobility, the purpose of this review is to serve as a primer for gait and
posture researchers. Two major models of KT are summarized: the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap and Knowledge-to-Action Framework. The
principles outlined in these frameworks are applied to guidelines to assist
researchers with developing their own evidence-based KT strategies. Examples of
balance and mobility-specific KT activities are provided when appropriate, but
there is a need for more studies that attempt to use evidence-based KT strategies
to change practice in this particular field.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS