Development and Content Validation of Mini Neurological Examination Tool for Rapid Assessment of Neurological Inpatients Using a Sequential Exploratory Design

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and establish the content validity of the Mini Neurological Examination (MNE) tool for the rapid assessment of neurological inpatients.

A sequential exploratory study design was conducted at a tertiary care-level teaching medical institute. The qualitative phase focused on the exploration of the literature review and the focused group discussion (FGD) with eight experts (doctors and nurses). In the quantitative phase, two Delphi rounds were performed among 19 experts to establish content validity. A pilot study was conducted to assess clinical applicability among 30 neurological patients.

Twenty-seven items under seven domains were identified initially for the development of the MNE tool. After Delphi rounds, 20 neurological items were retained. Content validity was acceptable (Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) >0.78; scale-level content validity index [S-CVI] = 0.86). The MNE tool showed moderate to high (73–100%) agreement with expert clinical assessment among these 30 patients.

This study provides preliminary evidence of the content validity and feasibility of the MNE tool. Furthermore, studies are required to establish the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of this tool for routine neurological assessment of inpatients with neurological and neurosurgical conditions.