Author Guidelines

Submission Process and Publication Fee

Manuscript Submission Standards and Editorial Policies

Open Access  |  Double-Anonymised Peer Review  |  Vancouver Referencing

1. Introduction and Scope

These Author Guidelines define the standards, requirements, and responsibilities governing manuscript submission, peer review, acceptance, and post-publication conduct. Authors are expected to adhere fully to all policies set out below. The journal publishes original research, systematic reviews, clinical trials, observational studies, case reports, and narrative reviews relevant to the health and rehabilitation sciences. All submissions undergo rigorous editorial screening and independent peer review before a publication decision is reached.

2. Access Model and Article Processing Charges

2.1 Open Access Policy

This journal operates under a full open-access model. All accepted manuscripts are published online immediately upon production completion under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

2.2 Article Processing Charges (APCs)

There is no fee at the point of submission. Upon acceptance, a standard APC of PKR 25,000 applies to manuscripts up to seven typeset pages. Manuscripts exceeding seven pages incur an additional PKR 1,000 per additional page. Page estimates are calculated from total word count and the number and size of tables and figures included. The editorial office will communicate the final charge upon acceptance; publication proceeds only after the corresponding author approves and settles the APC.

Note: Authors in receipt of institutional or funder open-access grants are encouraged to contact the editorial office prior to submission to discuss applicable waivers or reductions.

3. Editorial and Peer Review Policies

3.1 Peer Review Process

The journal operates a double-anonymised peer review process. Author identities are concealed from reviewers and reviewer identities are concealed from authors throughout the review period. Each submission must receive independent approval from at least two qualified expert reviewers before a final editorial decision is made. The Editor-in-Chief retains the right to reject a manuscript at any stage without external review if it fails to meet minimum standards of scope, quality, or integrity.

 

3.2 Editorial Decisions

Possible decisions are: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject. Authors receiving a revision decision must submit a detailed point-by-point response document alongside the revised manuscript. Revised submissions not received within the stipulated timeframe may be treated as new submissions. Acceptance is not guaranteed following revision.

3.3 Appeals

Authors who believe a rejection decision was based on a material factual error may submit a formal appeal to the editorial office within 30 days of the decision. Appeals must clearly identify the alleged error and provide supporting evidence. Editorial judgements regarding scope, novelty, or significance are not subject to appeal.

 

3.4 Communication During Review

Direct communication between authors and reviewers during the active peer review process is prohibited. All correspondence regarding manuscript status must be conducted through the journal submission system via the editorial office.

4. Research Ethics and Integrity

4.1 Ethics Approval

All research involving human participants or animals must have received documented ethical approval from a recognised Institutional Review Board (IRB), Research Ethics Committee, or equivalent authority prior to study commencement. The manuscript must state the name of the approving body, the reference or approval number, and the date of approval. Studies conducted under exemption from full review must state the basis for that exemption.

4.2 Informed Consent

Authors must confirm that written informed consent was obtained from all participants, or from parents or legal guardians of minor participants, prior to their involvement. Where consent was waived by the ethics committee for fully anonymised data, this must be stated. Consent for publication of any identifying information, photographs, or case-specific details must be explicitly confirmed.

4.3 Animal Research

Research involving animals must comply with applicable national and institutional standards for the care and use of laboratory animals. Authors must state the relevant ethics approval reference, the facility where the work was conducted, and confirm adherence to applicable welfare guidelines.

4.4 Clinical Trial Registration

All interventional clinical trials must have been registered in a publicly accessible registry prior to the enrolment of the first participant. The registry name, unique trial registration number, and date of registration must be reported in both the abstract and the Methods section. Retrospective registration is not accepted.

Note: Acceptable registries include national and WHO-recognised primary registries. Trials registered only after commencement of enrolment are ineligible for consideration.

4.5 Research Misconduct

Any form of plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, inappropriate authorship, duplicate publication, or selective outcome reporting constitutes research misconduct and is grounds for immediate rejection, retraction of published work, and notification of the authors' affiliated institutions and relevant oversight bodies. The journal employs similarity-detection software on all submissions.

5. Authorship Criteria and Responsibilities

5.1 Criteria for Authorship

All listed authors must have made substantial contributions in all of the following areas:

• Conception or design of the work, or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data;
• Drafting or critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content;
• Final approval of the version submitted for publication; and
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, including accuracy and integrity.

Contributions that do not satisfy all four criteria — such as provision of funding or technical assistance — qualify for acknowledgement, not authorship.

5.2 Corresponding Author

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and this submission. The corresponding author manages all pre- and post-publication communications on behalf of the author group and is responsible for the accuracy of contact details and ORCID iDs.

5.3 ORCID iDs

All authors must provide valid, verified ORCID iDs no later than the point of final acceptance. ORCID iDs are linked to the published article and verified against the official registry.

5.4 Changes to Authorship

Any proposed changes to the authorship list after submission — including additions, deletions, or changes in authorship order — must be submitted in writing to the editorial office and require the written consent of all currently listed authors and a clear justification. The Editor-in-Chief has final discretion on authorship disputes.

6. Article Types and Submission Requirements

The table below summarises the specifications for each accepted article type. Word limits apply to the main text only, excluding the abstract, references, tables, and figure legends. Authors must include the completed reporting guideline checklist for their study design as a supplementary file.

Article Type	Abstract	Word Limit	Max Figures/Tables	Max References	APC Pages	Reporting Standard
Randomised Controlled Trial	Structured (200–300 words)	Up to 6,000	Max 6	Up to 70	Up to 7 pages	CONSORT; include trial registration
Observational Study	Structured (200–300 words)	Up to 5,000	Max 5	Up to 50	Up to 7 pages	STROBE
Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis	Structured (200–300 words)	Up to 5,000	Max 6	Up to 100	Up to 7 pages	PRISMA / MOOSE; register protocol
Case Report / Case Series	Unstructured (150–250 words)	Up to 4,000	Max 3	Up to 30	Up to 7 pages	CARE guidelines
Preclinical Study	Structured (200–300 words)	Up to 5,000	Max 5	Up to 50	Up to 7 pages	ARRIVE guidelines
Narrative Review	Unstructured (150–250 words)	Up to 5,000	Max 3	Up to 50	Up to 7 pages	State aims and search strategy

7. Manuscript Preparation and Formatting

7.1 File Format and Structure

Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.docx). Documents should be structured with clear section headings appropriate to the article type. A typical original research article should include: Title Page, Abstract and Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Declarations, and References. Other article types should follow the structure prescribed by the applicable reporting guideline.

7.2 Text Formatting

• Single-spaced throughout, using 12-point font
• Italics used instead of underlining, except in hyperlinks and URLs
• Tables and figures embedded within the text at appropriate points, and also supplied as separate high-resolution files
• Continuous line numbering applied throughout the manuscript
• Pages numbered sequentially

7.3 Figures and Images

All figures must be supplied at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for photographs and 600 dpi for line art, in TIFF, EPS, or high-resolution JPEG format. Figure legends must be sufficiently detailed for each figure to be interpreted independently of the main text. Authors must obtain written permission to reproduce any previously published figure or image.

7.4 Tables

Tables must be created using the table function in Microsoft Word, not as images. Each table must have a descriptive title and must be interpretable independently of the main text. Abbreviations used in tables must be defined in a footnote.

7.5 Statistical Reporting

Authors must report exact p-values (e.g., p = 0.037) rather than threshold comparisons (p < 0.05), except where p < 0.001. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals must be reported for all primary and secondary outcome comparisons. The statistical software used must be named with version number. For clinical trials, the sample size calculation must be described in full, including the assumptions, target power, and significance level used.

7.6 Preprints

Manuscripts previously deposited on a recognised preprint server are eligible for submission, provided the preprint version is not updated or revised while the manuscript is under editorial review. Authors must declare the preprint in the cover letter, providing the server name, DOI or URL, and the date of deposit.

8. Referencing Style

8.1 Vancouver Style

All manuscripts must use the Vancouver citation and referencing style throughout. References are numbered consecutively in the order of first appearance in the text. In-text citations appear as superscript Arabic numerals. Every in-text citation must correspond to a complete reference entry in the reference list, and every reference entry must be cited within the text.

8.2 Reference List Format

Journal articles: list the author(s) surname and initials, article title, abbreviated journal title (italicised), year; volume(issue): page range. Up to six authors should be listed; if seven or more, list the first six followed by et al. Books, book chapters, and websites should follow standard Vancouver format. Website references must include the full URL and the date accessed. Unpublished data and personal communications may be cited within the text in parentheses but should not appear in the reference list.

9. Mandatory Declaration Sections

All manuscripts must include the following declaration sections at the end of the manuscript, after the Conclusions section and before the References. Where a section is not applicable, authors must write Not applicable rather than omitting the section. Sections must appear in the order shown below.

 

Declaration Section	Required Content
Ethical Considerations	State the name of the approving body, the reference/approval number, and the date of approval. If exemption was granted, state the basis. If not applicable, write: Not applicable.
Consent to Participate	Confirm that written informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legal guardians. If a waiver was granted for anonymised data, state this. If not applicable, write: Not applicable.
Consent for Publication	Confirm consent for publication of any identifiable information, images, or case-specific details. If not applicable, write: Not applicable.
Conflict of Interest	Disclose all financial and non-financial competing interests for all authors. If none exist, state: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Funding Statement	List all funding sources with grant reference numbers where applicable. Clarify the funder's role in study design, data collection, analysis, or manuscript preparation, or state that the funder had no role.
Data Availability Statement	Specify: (a) repository name and persistent identifier (DOI/URL); or (b) that de-identified data are available on request, with access conditions described; or (c) a justified reason why data cannot be shared.
Author Contributions	Detail individual contributions using a recognised contributor taxonomy (e.g., conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, funding acquisition, investigation, methodology, project administration, resources, software, supervision, validation, visualization, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing).
Acknowledgements	Acknowledge individuals who contributed but do not meet authorship criteria. Confirm that all acknowledged parties have consented. Describe the nature of support received.
Declaration of AI Use	If AI tools were used, state: tool name and version, purpose of use, and confirmation that authors reviewed and take full responsibility for the content. If no AI tools were used, this section is not required.

10. Use of Artificial Intelligence and AI-Assisted Technologies

10.1 Permitted Use

Authors may use AI-assisted tools exclusively for language editing purposes, including correction of grammar, spelling, syntax, and translation. Use of widely available language support software for these purposes does not require explicit disclosure.

10.2 Prohibited Use

The use of generative AI to produce original scientific content is strictly prohibited. This includes the generation of hypotheses, research conclusions, data interpretations, literature summaries, and the drafting of any section containing research findings or intellectual contributions. AI systems may not be listed as authors or co-authors. AI-generated or AI-modified figures, tables, images, and graphical abstracts are not permitted unless AI processing is an integral and pre-specified component of the study methodology, in which case full methodological disclosure is required.

10.3 Mandatory Disclosure

Where generative AI has been used for any purpose during manuscript preparation, authors must include a dedicated section immediately before the References section under the following heading:

 

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process

 

This statement must specify: (a) the name and version of the tool used; (b) the specific purpose for which it was employed; and (c) confirmation that the authors critically reviewed all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the final manuscript.

Example: During the preparation of this manuscript, [Tool Name] (version X.X) was used to improve language clarity and grammar. The authors reviewed and edited all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the final manuscript.

10.4 Author Accountability

All authors remain entirely accountable for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the submitted work regardless of AI tool usage. Failure to disclose AI use in contravention of these guidelines may result in manuscript rejection, retraction, or referral to institutional oversight bodies.

11. Data Availability and Transparency

Authors are strongly encouraged to make underlying data openly available in a recognised public repository. The Data Availability Statement must specify one of the following:

• The dataset is deposited in a named repository and is accessible via a persistent identifier (DOI or URL).
• De-identified data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, subject to ethical or regulatory constraints, which must be described.
• Data sharing is not possible, with a clear and justified explanation.

Supplementary materials — including extended datasets, protocols, or additional analyses — may also be submitted directly to the journal to support transparency and reproducibility.

12. Submission Package

A complete submission must include all of the following components. Incomplete submissions will be returned to authors without editorial review.

• Cover letter addressing novelty and significance; declaring any preprint, related submission, or potential overlap with prior work
• Main manuscript structured as described, with embedded tables and figures and continuous line numbering
• Separate high-resolution figure files (minimum 300 dpi; TIFF, EPS, or JPEG format)
• Completed reporting guideline checklist as a supplementary file
• Ethics approval documentation (IRB letter or committee approval certificate)
• Informed consent forms or waiver confirmation where applicable
• Clinical trial registration certificate for interventional studies
• Supplementary materials (additional data, appendices, multimedia files, if applicable)

13. Submission Preparation Checklist

The corresponding author certifies compliance with each item below on behalf of all listed authors.

 

Requirement	Standard / Expectation	✓
Originality	Manuscript is original, not previously published, and not under concurrent review. Preprints declared with DOI.	☐
File Format	Main manuscript in Microsoft Word (.docx); figures as separate high-resolution files (minimum 300 dpi).	☐
Text Formatting	Single-spaced, 12-point font, continuous line numbering, pages numbered sequentially.	☐
Abstract	Meets word limit and structure specified for the article type.	☐
Ethics Documentation	IRB/ethics committee approval included; committee name, reference number, and date stated.	☐
Informed Consent	Participant consent declared; waiver noted where applicable.	☐
Study Registration	Interventional studies registered prospectively; registry name and ID reported.	☐
Reporting Guideline Checklist	Completed checklist included as supplementary material.	☐
Author Contributions	Individual contributions of all listed authors detailed.	☐
ORCID iDs	Valid ORCID iDs provided for all authors.	☐
Conflict of Interest	All authors' competing interests disclosed, or none declared.	☐
Funding Statement	All funding sources listed; funder role clarified or stated as none.	☐
Data Availability Statement	Repository DOI/URL provided, or on-request conditions stated, or non-sharing justified.	☐
AI Use Disclosure	AI tool usage disclosed, or confirmed as not applicable.	☐
Third-Party Permissions	Permissions obtained for any reproduced figures, tables, or text.	☐
Cover Letter	Novelty and significance addressed; any overlap with prior work explained.	☐
References	All references in Vancouver style; every in-text citation has a corresponding reference entry.	☐
Required Declarations	All mandatory declaration sections present at end of manuscript.	☐

14. Post-Acceptance Procedures

14.1 Licence Agreement and APC

Following acceptance, the corresponding author must sign a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence agreement and complete payment of the applicable APC before manuscript production commences.

 

14.2 Language Editing

Accepted manuscripts undergo professional language editing for grammar, clarity, consistency, and structure prior to typesetting. Substantive content is not altered during this process.

14.3 Page Proofs

Authors will receive typeset page proofs for review. The purpose of proofreading is to identify production errors; substantive changes to content at proof stage are not permitted. Authors must return approved proofs within the deadline specified by the editorial office.

14.4 Online Publication

Articles are assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and published online immediately upon completion of production. Authors are encouraged to disseminate their published work through institutional repositories, academic networks, and professional platforms to maximise readership and citation impact.

15. Post-Publication Corrections and Retractions

The journal is committed to the accuracy and integrity of the published record. Post-publication concerns are handled in accordance with established editorial guidance.

• Corrections (Errata): issued if minor errors are identified that do not alter the conclusions of the article. A correction notice will be linked to the original article.
• Expression of Concern: issued when a credible concern about the integrity of the work is raised and an investigation is pending or inconclusive.
• Retraction: a published article may be retracted in cases of confirmed research misconduct, material honest error that invalidates the findings, duplicate publication, or unresolved ethical violations. Retracted articles are not removed from the published record; a retraction notice is permanently linked to the original article.

Authors, editors, or readers who identify a concern should contact the editorial office. All post-publication concerns are investigated in accordance with established editorial procedures.

16. Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain copyright of their work. By submitting a manuscript, authors grant the journal the right of first publication under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is correctly cited. Upon acceptance, authors must sign a formal licence agreement confirming these terms.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission is original, has not been published elsewhere, and does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party. All necessary permissions for any copyrighted material incorporated in the submission must be obtained prior to publication.

 

17. Policy Revisions

These guidelines are reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect changes in publishing standards, reporting requirements, and emerging technologies. The version of the guidelines applicable to a manuscript is the version in effect at the date of submission. Authors are advised to consult the current guidelines on the journal website before preparing their submission.

18. Contact and Support

For guidance on manuscript preparation, formatting requirements, policy interpretation, or submission procedures, authors should contact the editorial office through the journal author portal or via direct email. Authors are encouraged to raise queries prior to submission to ensure all requirements are met before formal submission.

These guidelines are subject to periodic revision. Manuscripts are bound by the version of the guidelines current at the date of submission.

Submission Process and Publication Fee