Endorsement of artificial intelligence guidelines across leading rehabilitation journals: A series of cross-sectional reviews

Abstract

Background: The use of Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation research by enabling advancements in data analysis, systematic reviews, and clinical applications. However, its adoption brings forth issues regarding ethical use, transparency, and reproducibility. This study investigates how top journals in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation address these challenges and opportunities through their author instructions and policies.Methods: A cross-sectional review was conducted on the leading 100 peer-reviewed Journals in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as ranked by the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator. Data were extracted from each journal’s “Instructions for Authors” to assess AI-related policies, including AI-specific reporting guidelines, authorship criteria, and the use of AI in manuscript preparation and image generation. Correlational analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between AI policies and journal characteristics.Results: Of the 100 journals reviewed, 86% addressed the use of AI in their instructions, with the majority prohibiting AI authorship and requiring disclosure of AI involvement in submissions. However, AI-generated content was permitted by 61% of journals, while 39 % approved the use of AI-generated images. Journals with higher impact factors were more likely to include detailed AI policies, though notable gaps in guidance and standardization remain.Conclusion: Although many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation journals acknowledge the role of AI in research, only a few have adopted AI-specific reporting guidelines, limiting standardization and transparency of AI usage. We recommend implementing comprehensive guidelines to promote ethical, reproducible, and high-quality research in the era of AI-driven innovation