Archives of ISPRM

Instructions to Authors

Our editorial team is available to assist you with any questions regarding manuscript preparation. Please reach us at: editor@archivesisprm.org

Objectives

Archives of ISPRM aims to:

  • Distribute peer-reviewed scientific work, clinical findings, and advocacy efforts in PRM to a global audience
  • Provide a platform for debating complex issues in rehabilitation, disability support, and functional limitations affecting individuals worldwide
  • Elevate research standards by bridging biophysical, psychosocial, and clinical disciplines
  • Support educational advancement through international collaboration among PRM educators
  • Partner with fellow publications to strengthen the collective mission of PRM advancement

Online Submission

Along with the manuscript files, authors must submit the following documents at the time of initial submission:

These forms can be downloaded from https://archivesisprm.org

It is recommended to thoroughly review the journal's policies prior to submitting any manuscripts to ensure they align with the journal's guidelines.

Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals (updated May 2023), as adopted by Archives of ISPRM.

Submit your work electronically through our online platform at: https://submit.archivesisprm.org/

New Users

Select the Register option on our submission portal. After registration, your login credentials will arrive by email. Keep this information secure for future submissions. Previously registered users should use their existing credentials rather than creating a new account.

Submitting Authors

Access the system through the Login menu and follow the submission workflow. The platform allows you to monitor your manuscript's progress throughout the review process.

Journal Policies

Duplicate Publication

We consider manuscripts with the understanding that they are exclusively submitted to Archives of ISPRM and have not appeared in print elsewhere, been submitted simultaneously to other outlets, or received prior acceptance. Submitted works may undergo plagiarism screening using specialized detection software.

This policy does not exclude manuscripts previously declined by other journals or complete studies that expand upon earlier preliminary reports, typically presented as abstracts. When applicable, include copies of any related published material and explain in your cover letter why the current submission represents distinct work.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Authors must disclose all potential conflicts including financial arrangements, consulting relationships, institutional affiliations, and other connections that could introduce bias. When no conflicts exist, explicitly state "none declared." All funding sources require acknowledgment within the manuscript.

Include conflict and funding information on your title page under "Conflicts of Interest" and "Funding Sources" headings.

Human and Animal Research

Research involving human participants must comply with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Manuscripts should align with recommendations for conducting, reporting, editing, and publishing scholarly medical work, including appropriate representation across sex, age, and ethnicity. Correctly distinguish between sex and gender terminology throughout.

Confirm that informed consent was obtained from all human research participants. Protect participant privacy at all times.

Animal studies must follow ARRIVE guidelines and comply with relevant national regulations such as the UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, EU Directive 2010/63/EU, or NIH guidelines. State animal sex clearly and discuss any sex-related influences on outcomes where relevant.

Ethics Approval

All research involving human participants, regardless of study design—including interventional, observational, retrospective, or survey-based studies—must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and receive approval from an appropriate institutional or regional ethics committee or IRB. If ethics approval is waived, formal IRB approval or exemption documentation is still required.

Documentation of such approval, including the name of the approving committee and approval reference number, must be provided. In addition, informed consent must be obtained from all participants prior to study participation. For studies involving minors, parental or guardian consent is required, along with assent from children over seven years of age or as stipulated by local regulations.

Participant confidentiality must be strictly maintained. All identifying information—including names, initials, hospital numbers, or any other personal identifiers—must be removed from manuscripts, figures, tables, and supplementary materials.

Ethics approval documentation should be clearly cited in the Methods section of the manuscript. Manuscripts that fail to meet ethical standards may be rejected at any stage, including after acceptance.

Privacy Protection

Exclude identifying details from text, images, and diagnostic materials unless scientifically essential and supported by written patient consent. Authors must maintain properly archived consent forms. Facial photographs require explicit consent disclosure in the manuscript text.

Data Availability

All research articles must include a Data Availability Statement explaining where supporting data can be accessed. Choose from the following formats:

  • Datasets are deposited in [REPOSITORY NAME] at [URL]
  • Data are not publicly available due to [REASON] but can be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request
  • Data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request
  • No new datasets were created for this work
  • All data appear within the article and supplementary files
  • Data are held by [THIRD PARTY] under license restrictions; access may be arranged through the authors with third-party permission

Authorship Requirements

Each listed author should have contributed meaningfully to the intellectual content, data analysis, or manuscript preparation and accept public accountability for the work. All authors must review and approve the final version. Upon editorial request, authors must provide underlying research data.

Specify each author's contributions, which may include:

  • Study conception and design
  • Manuscript drafting or critical revision
  • Conducting experiments or data collection
  • Providing essential materials or reagents
  • Statistical or data analysis

Authors may claim multiple contributions, and contributions may be shared. Any authorship changes after submission require written approval from all authors.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism involves using others' ideas, words, or intellectual property without proper attribution, presenting borrowed material as original work. This applies to all sources including abstracts, grant applications, and unpublished manuscripts.

Archives of ISPRM employs CrossCheck and iThenticate plagiarism detection services. Authors may pre-screen their work at http://www.ithenticate.com. Plagiarism allegations are investigated according to COPE guidelines. Confirmed cases result in notification to authors, institutions, and funding agencies, with potential retraction depending on severity.

Language Requirements

Manuscripts must demonstrate proper English usage. Authors seeking language assistance may consider professional editing services to strengthen their submissions.

Peer Review Process

Archives of ISPRM uses double-blind peer review, where reviewer and author identities remain confidential. Our review process includes:

Initial editorial screening evaluates suitability for formal review. Manuscripts lacking originality, containing significant methodological problems, or missing a substantial contribution are returned without external review. Works outside our readership's interests may also be declined at this stage.

Suitable manuscripts proceed to at least two independent experts who assess scientific quality. Authors may suggest or exclude reviewers, though final selection remains with editors who consider expertise, diversity, and geographic representation.

Reviewers provide constructive feedback and recommendations. Based on their input, editors communicate decisions to authors, who must respond point-by-point to all comments, indicating where revisions appear in tracked manuscript versions.

Appeal Process

Authors believing their work was incorrectly rejected may appeal by emailing the editorial office with detailed justification. Appeals receive acknowledgment and unbiased investigation within 6-8 weeks. Manuscripts under appeal should not be submitted elsewhere. The Editor-in-Chief's decision is final; second appeals are not considered.

Clinical Trial Registration

Clinical trials require registration in a recognized registry before submission. Include the registry name and trial identifier on your title page. Acceptable registries include:

  • ClinicalTrials.gov
  • EudraCT
  • ISRCTN Registry
  • WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
  • Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
  • Chinese Clinical Trial Registry
  • Other publicly accessible primary registries

Randomized controlled trials should follow CONSORT guidelines.

Authors should ensure that their manuscripts comply with the appropriate reporting guidelines listed below, according to the study design:

Manuscript Categories

Archives of ISPRM welcomes the following submission types:

Type Word Limit Abstract Word Limit Tables/Figures References Limit2
Original Research 2,500-5,000 3501 No limit 50
Review Articles 2,500-6,000 350 As needed 100
Perspectives 750-1,200 N/A As needed 10
Case Reports 1,500-2,000 150 Encouraged 10
Letters to Editor 800-1,000 N/A As needed 10
Study Protocols 3,000 350 As needed 25
Editorials 1,000-1,200 N/A N/A 10
Clinical Pearls 1,500-2,000 N/A As needed 20
ISPRM Viewpoint 1,000-1,200 None None 10
1 Should be structured with the following subheadings: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion.
2 Exceeding numbers will have to be justified to the Editor.

Original Research

Complete reports of basic, translational, or clinical investigations presenting significant new findings. While no strict length limit applies, aim for 2,500-5,000 words. Include a structured abstract (maximum 350 words) with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions sections. The number of references should not exceed 60.

Review Articles

Thorough, balanced examinations of relevant topics. Reviews undergo standard peer review. Submit 2,500-6,000 words with an unstructured abstract (maximum 350 words). Include at least 30 references, typically maximum 100.

Perspectives

Opinion pieces advancing specific viewpoints while acknowledging alternative positions, grounded in current evidence. Submit 750-1,200 words with no abstract and maximum 10 references.

Case Reports

Detailed accounts focusing on diagnosis, intervention, and outcomes in rehabilitation medicine. Include a brief literature review in the discussion. Manuscripts should be 1,500–2,000 words in length and include an unstructured abstract of no more than 150 words. Up to 10 references are allowed. Visual materials are encouraged.

Letters to the Editor

Brief communications addressing topics of community interest or commenting on recent journal articles (within 6 months). Submit 800-1,000 words with no abstract and maximum 10 references. Authors of discussed articles may be invited to respond.

Study Protocols

Protocols for registered trials with ethics approval, submitted before recruitment completion. Include registration number and ethics documentation. Pilot studies should be submitted as research articles. Systematic review protocols are not accepted. Submit 3,000 words with a structured abstract (350 words) covering Background, Methods, and Discussion. Maximum 25 references.

Editorials

Invited commentaries on significant articles or broader practice, research, or policy issues. Submit 1,000-1,200 words with no abstract or figures and maximum 10 references.

Clinical Pearls

Practical clinical insights regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis, or emerging treatments. While experience-based, content should rest on scientific principles and stimulate critical thinking. Submit 1,500-2,000 words with no abstract and maximum 20 references.

ISPRM Viewpoint

Articles supporting ISPRM missions and collaborative initiatives. Though not purely scientific, these pieces should advance academic, clinical, or advocacy goals. Standard peer review applies. Submit 1,000-1,200 words with no abstract or figures and maximum 10 references.

Manuscript Preparation

Prepare manuscripts in clear, grammatical English with double spacing and numbered pages. Non-conforming submissions will be returned for correction. Avoid manual line numbers as the system generates these automatically.

Title Page

Include the following elements:

  • Article title clearly describing contents and study subjects
  • All author names (first name, middle initial, last name)
  • Author affiliations at the time of research
  • Disclaimers if applicable
  • Funding sources with sponsor details and any restrictions
  • Conflict of interest declarations for all authors
  • Corresponding author contact information
  • Running title (50 characters maximum)
  • Alphabetized abbreviation list (if three or more used)

Abstract

Original research requires a structured abstract (maximum 350 words) including:

  • Background: Study context in 1-2 sentences
  • Objective: Specific aims and hypotheses
  • Methods: Design, subjects, procedures, and statistical approaches
  • Results: Key findings with statistical outcomes
  • Conclusions: Primary outcomes and clinical relevance

Include clinical trial registration details where applicable. Reviews use unstructured abstracts (maximum 300 words). Define abbreviations at first use within the abstract. Provide 5-10 keywords to enhance discoverability.

Main Text Sections

Introduction: Present relevant background and specific study objectives without comprehensively reviewing the literature. Avoid including methods, results, or conclusions.

Methods: Provide sufficient detail to allow replication. Describe experimental design, eligibility criteria, randomization procedures, and statistical methods. Specify commercial products and equipment with manufacturer details. For established methods, cite references; describe novel approaches fully.

Results: Present findings logically through text, tables, and figures without redundancy. Report attrition from studies. Reference tables and figures in bold at first mention.

Discussion: Interpret findings concisely, acknowledging limitations and relating results to existing literature. Connect conclusions to study objectives without unsupported claims or priority statements.

Acknowledgments: Recognize individuals who contributed without meeting authorship criteria. Include author contribution statements and data sharing plans.

Use of AI Tools and Required Acknowledgment

Archives of ISPRM recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI)–based tools are increasingly used in scientific research, data analysis, language editing, and manuscript preparation. To ensure transparency, integrity, and compliance with international publishing standards, authors must adhere to the following policies regarding the use of AI technologies.

AI tools may be used for:

  • Language editing, grammar refinement, or formatting assistance
  • Generating summaries of existing text provided that authors verify accuracy and originality
  • Statistical code checking or computational assistance
  • Image processing for standard, non-manipulative adjustments (e.g., noise reduction, brightness correction)
  • Supporting literature searches or reference formatting

AI tools must not be listed as authors and cannot be credited with intellectual responsibility for the content.

AI tools must not be used for:

  • Generating or fabricating data, images, patient information, or statistical results
  • Creating or altering scientific content in ways that affect the integrity, interpretation, or originality of the research
  • Drafting sections that require domain expertise such as clinical recommendations, interpretations of results, or novel scientific claims without expert verification
  • Manipulating images, datasets, or findings beyond standard formatting
  • Creating peer reviews or influencing the editorial decision process

Any AI-generated text must be checked, edited, and validated by the authors, who retain full responsibility for all content.

Example disclosure statement:

"Artificial intelligence tools were used for language editing and formatting assistance. All content was reviewed and verified by the authors, who take full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the manuscript."

If no AI tools were used, authors do not need to include a statement.

Authors are fully accountable for verifying all AI-generated content, ensuring originality and avoiding plagiarism or self-plagiarism, confirming that AI-assisted text complies with ethical and scientific standards, checking references, data, factual statements, quotations, and clinical claims, and ensuring that no confidential or sensitive patient data were uploaded into any AI system.

The journal is not responsible for errors, omissions, or ethical breaches arising from improper AI use.

References

References must be prepared in accordance with the Vancouver citation style. Number all references consecutively in the order in which they are cited in the text. In-text citations should be given using Arabic numerals in square brackets (superscript preferred). Place citation numbers outside periods and commas, and inside colons and semicolons.

If an author is mentioned by surname within the sentence, add "et al." after the surname, followed by the reference number in square brackets (superscript preferred), and then continue the sentence. When different references support different statements, place each reference in its own set of brackets immediately after the punctuation mark concluding the relevant statement.

For more than two consecutive references, use a hyphen to indicate the range (e.g., [1–3], [14–18], [8–14]).

List up to six authors in each reference. For works with seven or more authors, list the first three authors, followed by "et al." Provide full article titles, and use journal abbreviations according to Index Medicus conventions.

The style and punctuation of the references should follow the formats outlined below:

Journal Article

Smith J, Patel R, Gomez L, Chen T, Rivera S, O'Connor P. Rehabilitation outcomes after early mobilization in stroke patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2021;102(4):765–72.

Khan M, Li Y, Roberts J, Ahmed S, Tanaka K, Rossi P, et al. Predictors of functional recovery in geriatric trauma patients. J Clin Rehabil. 2020;15(2):145–53.

Book

Miller RD, Janssen P. Principles of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2019.

Book Chapter

Rosen B, Clarke M. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation in pediatric patients. In: Brown L, editor. Handbook of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. New York: Springer; 2020. p. 215–32.

Conference Paper

Wong H, Martinez R, Gupta A, Lee P. Balance training programs for older adults: A randomized trial. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; 2018 Jun 8–12; Paris, France. Paris: ICPRM Press; 2018. p. 98–104.

Thesis

Demir O. The effects of virtual reality–based rehabilitation on upper extremity function in stroke patients [Thesis]. Ankara: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences; 2022.

Internet Address

World Health Organization. Rehabilitation interventions for adults with disability. Geneva: WHO; 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/rehabilitation-adults-disability [Accessed: 2024.01.15].

Tables and Figures

Prepare tables in Word format (not photographs or Excel) with double spacing, concise titles, and lowercase superscript footnotes. Number sequentially using Arabic numerals.

Submit figures as separate high-resolution files (EPS, TIFF, or JPG). Histological images require color. Use 1200 DPI for line graphics, 300 DPI for photographs, and 600 DPI for combination images. Save color images in CMYK format.

Supplementary Materials

Additional content including text, tables, figures, audio, or video may be submitted as supplementary materials. Cite supplementary items in the main text. Provide materials in a single Word or PowerPoint file (maximum 10 MB). Include figure legends on the figures themselves.

Submission Process

Initial Submission

Upload manuscripts through the submission portal at https://submit.archivesisprm.org/. A manuscript number will be assigned following compliance verification. Non-compliant submissions will be returned. Email, fax, or scanned submissions are not accepted.

Revisions

Upon first revision, complete License to Publish forms for all authors. Ensure accurate email addresses to avoid processing delays.

Provide point-by-point responses to reviewer comments, indicating page and paragraph numbers for all changes. Submit both clean and tracked versions. Meet revision deadlines or request extensions; otherwise, the manuscript may be withdrawn.

Post Acceptance

Proofs

Production staff will contact corresponding authors when proofs are ready. Review figures carefully and report concerns promptly. Submitted manuscripts should be final; minimize changes at proof stage. Update contact information with both editorial and production offices to ensure receipt of proofs.

Copyright and Access

Authors retain copyright while granting the journal publication rights. Open access articles become freely available upon publication under Creative Commons licensing (CC-BY), allowing redistribution and adaptation with appropriate attribution.

Contact

For questions about manuscript preparation or submission:

Email: editor@archivesisprm.org

Submission Portal: https://submit.archivesisprm.org/