The evidence is
peer-reviewed, published,
and real-world.
LeapForward has been independently studied by researchers at two of Australia's
leading universities. Both studies were published in international peer-reviewed
journals and used real compensation claimants — not controlled laboratory
conditions.
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University of Sydney
Stratton & Glozier, 2026 — Disability and Rehabilitation
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University of South Australia
Brinsley et al., 2023 — Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
HEADLINE FINDINGS ACROSS BOTH STUDIES
d=1.13
Effect size for wellbeing improvement — classified as large
Stratton & Glozier, 2026
d=0.88
Effect size for reduction in psychological distress — large
Stratton & Glozier, 2026
72%
Program completion rate among workers' compensation claimants
Brinsley et al., 2023
10×
Increase in participants working at program completion
Brinsley et al., 2023
Two independent studies.
Consistent results.
Both studies used real claimants referred through insurer pathways — making the findings directly applicable to claims environments.
A mixed-methods pre-post study evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary psychosocial outcomes of LeapForward as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation care for CTP insurance claimants after motor vehicle accidents.
53 adult participants were referred by case managers at IAG Insurance (NSW CTP scheme). Participants had Soft-Tissue or Orthopaedic injuries. Baseline and post-program assessments measured psychological distress, wellbeing, and self-efficacy. The study also included qualitative interviews to capture participant experience.
Participants were stratified into early (≤12 weeks post-MVA) and late-stage (≥13 weeks) groups to test whether timing of intervention affected outcomes — it did not. Both groups showed meaningful improvement.
A retrospective cohort study with pre-post measures assessing engagement, adherence, and preliminary effectiveness of an AI virtual health coach-led lifestyle medicine and psychoeducation program for people on an active workers' compensation claim.
78 adult participants (mean age 46, 32% female) were referred by case managers at EML Insurance. Participants had physical or psychological primary injuries. Outcomes measured included K10 (distress), WHO-5 (wellbeing), RTW confidence and anxiety, and change in work status.
This was the first peer-reviewed evaluation of an AI-led lifestyle program for active workers' compensation claimants — and found high completion and engagement rates alongside significant improvements across all psychological outcomes.
WHAT THE RESEARCH MEANS
Implications for rehabilitation
practice.
Drawn directly from the published papers — what the researchers concluded about
how LeapForward should be used.
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Scalable adjunct to standard care
Digital psychosocial interventions like LeapForward can serve as scalable adjuncts to standard rehabilitation care — complementing, not replacing, existing clinical pathways.
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Early integration is beneficial
Early integration and tailored delivery may optimise engagement and functional recovery. The research shows value at all claim stages, with the strongest potential when deployed early.
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High usability supports adoption
High usability and acceptability support integration into daily routines and coping strategies. Participants described the program as accessible, clear, and easy to use independently.
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Improvements strengthen recovery outcomes
Improvements in wellbeing, distress, and self-efficacy show potential to strengthen recovery outcomes — addressing the psychosocial barriers that delay physical recovery and return to work.
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Suitable across injury types and timing
Both studies included physical and psychological primary injuries, and the 2026 study confirmed no difference in outcomes between early and late-stage claimants.
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Referral pathway integration is feasible
Both studies used case manager referral from major Australian insurers — demonstrating that integration into existing insurer and rehabilitation pathways is practical and achievable at scale.
Two studies, two populations, consistent findings.
The research spans workers' compensation and CTP insurance claimants — demonstrating LeapForward's applicability across different injury and claim types.
| Feature | Brinsley et al. 2023 | Stratton & Glozier 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| University | University of South Australia | University of Sydney |
| Journal | Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Population | Workers' compensation claimants | CTP (MVA) compensation claimants |
| Insurer partner | EML Insurance | IAG Insurance |
| Sample size | N=78 | N=53 |
| Design | Retrospective cohort, pre-post | Mixed-methods pre-post |
| Distress measure | K10 (Kessler-10) | K10 (Kessler-10) |
| Wellbeing measure | WHO-5 | WHO-5 |
| Completion rate | 72% | 79% post-intervention measures |
| Distress improvement | Significant (p≤.001, r=.47) | Significant (p<.001, d=0.88) |
| Wellbeing improvement | Significant (p<.001, r=.62) | Significant (p<.001, d=1.13) |
What the research does — and doesn't — claim.
We believe in being honest about the evidence base.
FROM THE RESEARCH
❝ It would be hugely beneficial for people that have been injured — like me,
through a car accident or in the workers' comp space. If doctors and
insurers could refer people to it, that would be great. ❞
Participant 15, qualitative interview — Stratton & Glozier, 2026
GET THE FULL PICTURE
Want to discuss the research
with our team?
We're happy to walk you through the studies, answer questions about methodology, and explain how the evidence maps to your specific context — whether you're an insurer, employer, or rehabilitation provider.