Developing an ICF core set for post-stroke disability assessment and verification in Taiwan: a preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to develop an ICF core set for post-stroke disability assessment and verification of biopsycho-social problems. Method: Using the Delphi method, a consensus process was conducted. In total, 24 multidisciplinary experts from different institutions completed the consensus process. The questionnaire for the study comprised 144 ICF second-level, stroke-relevant categories. A 5-point Likert-type scale was used by participants to weight the impact of each category on activities of daily life after a stroke. Consensus of ratings was assessed with Spearman's rho and semi-interquartile range indices. The core set for post-stroke disability assessment and verification was developed from those categories with a mean score >= 4.0 found in the third round of the Delphi exercise. Results: The core set for post-stroke disability assessment and verification contained 51 categories. Of these, 18 categories were from the component body functions, one from body structures, 22 from activities and participation, and 10 from environmental factors. The mean (standard deviation) Spearman's rho was 0.72 (0.14), and Cronbach's a was 0.98. Conclusions: The preliminary core set for post-stroke disability assessment and verification can offer comprehensive information on the performance of daily-life activities of chronic stroke survivors. Further validation is required.