From Fraud Detection to Data Protection: Practical Approaches for Preventing and Managing Fraudulent Participation in Online Rehabilitation Research

Thursday, October 30, 2025

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM

Location: ROOM: Grand Tradition Room >>> DIRECTIONS: Lobby Level >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed straight past the hotel front desk and enter the Grand Tradition Room through the main lobby hallway near the escalators to Lower Level.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Joseph T. Giacino, PhD

Professor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School
Spaulding Rehabilitation/Harvard Medical School
Charlestown, MA, United States

Slides Slides

Presenter(s)

Katherine Golden, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS (she/her/hers)

Occupational Therapist
Mass General Brigham
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Ellyn Pier, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator
Spaulding Rehabilitation
Charelstown, Massachusetts, United States

Non-Presenting Contributor(s)

William C. Miller, PhD, MScOT, BScOT

Professor
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Aditya Dhariwal

Research Assistant
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Somayyeh Mohammadi, n/a

Research Associate
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

This session examines the latest evidence and real-world experiences concerning fraudulent participation in online rehabilitation research. Attendees will gain practical tools to identify common forms of research fraud, critically evaluate their own study designs for vulnerabilities, and implement effective, evidence-based strategies to safeguard data integrity and participant safety. Through analysis of case studies and current literature, participants will learn how to balance robust anti-fraud measures with the need for inclusivity, ensuring both valid research outcomes and adherence to ethical standards. This presentation is ideal for clinical researchers, study coordinators, and IRB members, offering actionable recommendations for each stage of the research process, from recruitment and consent to data management and participant compensation, to uphold the highest standards in the rapidly evolving field of online rehabilitation research.

Learning Objectives:

Identify common forms of fraudulent activity in online rehabilitation research and assess their specific impacts on data integrity, participant safety, and study validity.
Critically evaluate rehabilitation research study designs to detect potential vulnerabilities to fraudulent participation and prioritize areas for protocol enhancement.
Select and implement evidence-based strategies to prevent, detect, and manage fraudulent participation, thereby strengthening data integrity and upholding ethical standards in online rehabilitation research.