Construction of a Management Plan for Physical Activity Symptom Clusters in Hospitalized Stroke Patients

Objective: To construct a scientifically sound and reliable management protocol for the physical activity symptom clusters in hospitalized stroke patients, based on the Symptom Management Theory (SMT). Methods: This methodological study employed a multi-step approach. First, a preliminary protocol was drafted based on a systematic literature review and best evidence summary. Second, a two-round Delphi expert consultation process was conducted to refine and validate the protocol. Statistical analysis included calculating the positive coefficient, authority coefficient (Cr), coefficient of variation (CV), and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W). Results: Fifteen experts completed both consultation rounds. The expert positivity rates were 83.33% and 100%, respectively. The authority coefficients (Cr) were 0.89 and 0.91. The first round yielded a CV of 0.00– 0.14 and a Kendall’s W of 0.195 ( P < 0.05). The second round yielded a CV of 0.00– 0.11 and a Kendall’s W of 0.160 ( P < 0.05). The final protocol comprised 3 first-level domains, 14 second-level domains, and 31 third-level items, organized within the SMT framework of symptom experience, management strategies, and outcomes. Conclusion: The developed management protocol for the management protocol demonstrates strong scientific validity, reliability, and practical applicability. It serves as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals to develop personalized care plans, potentially enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life for stroke patients. Future studies are required to test its efficacy in multi-center trials. Keywords: stroke, symptom clusters, symptom management, Delphi