Development and validation of a semi-structured interview guide to explore patient perspectives on physiotherapy advancements in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is a multifaceted complication characterized by pain, numbness, tingling, gait and balance impairments, and autonomic dysfunction, all of which compromise functional independence and quality of life. Existing quantitative tools, though widely used, often fail to capture the complexity of patients' lived experiences and the nuanced effects of therapeutic interventions. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop and validate a semi-structured interview guide that explores the functional and psychosocial domains most affected in individuals with DPN, with a particular emphasis on physiotherapy advancements.

METHODOLOGY: A six-domain interview guide was constructed using a Delphi survey method. The identified domains were: (1) Pain and Other Symptoms, (2) Activities of Daily Living, (3) Balance, (4) Walking, (5) Autonomic Changes, and (6) Social Participation. Each domain comprised an open-ended lead question supported by probes to facilitate rich, detailed narratives. Content validation was undertaken by a panel of seven experts using a structured validation form. Based on expert feedback, iterative refinements were made until consensus was achieved.

RESULTS

The finalized interview guide demonstrated excellent content validity, with a Scale-Level Content Validity Index (S-CVI/Ave) of 0.975 and Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) scores ranging from 0.85 to 1.0, indicating strong agreement on relevance and clarity across all domains.

CONCLUSION

This interview guide offers a culturally sensitive and scientifically sound tool for capturing patient perspectives on physiotherapy in DPN. By bridging the limitations of quantitative measures, it provides valuable insights for clinical practice, research, and policy, advancing person-centered and holistic care. CTRI/2023/12/060929 (Registered on: 29/12/2023).