Objective: To update the status of physical activity research after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI) by systematically reviewing empirical studies across health-related fields with the behavioral epidemiological framework to identify evidence-based interventions and inform future recommendations. The last review of physical activity research after msTBI, including studies between 2000 and 2012, found the field was in early stages of maturation. Methods: Articles published between January 2012 and December 2024 were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Rehabilitation 6% in Phase 2 (developing methods for measuring behaviors); 44% in Phase 3 (examining factors that influence behavior); 10% in Phase 4 (evaluating behavior change interventions); and 0% in Phase 5 (dissemination of health promotion programs). Many excluded full-text studies (n = 39/60) did not separate results by condition/injury severity (i.e., stroke/mild TBI). Conclusions: The greater number of studies in Phases 3 and 4 suggest the field has evolved in 12 years. The lack of progress in Phase 5 provides opportunity for implementation science efforts. Recommendations for physical activity behavior research after msTBI are discussed.
Quilico et al. (Thu,) studied this question.