Dyadic capability in post-stroke transitional care: a study protocol for instrument development and longitudinal evaluation

Introduction: Stroke represents a major burden for both survivors and caregivers. Although caregiver preparedness has been widely studied, it is typically assessed through self-reported measures that capture subjective perceptions rather than real-life adaptive functioning. Conventional training approaches, focused on knowledge and technical skills, often fail to support sustainable long-term care. The concept of capability may offer a more comprehensive framework for evaluating caregiving; however, it remains insufficiently operationalized and empirically validated in stroke populations. Aims: To develop, operationalize, and empirically evaluate dyadic capability in stroke survivor-caregiver dyads. Methods: Building on a completed and separately published systematic review and integrated concept analysis, this mixed-methods longitudinal study protocol comprises four linked empirical phases: qualitative exploration, instrument development and validation, longitudinal observational evaluation, and intervention evaluation. The protocol has been prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF): https://osf.io/sjdzp. Qualitative data will be analysed using conventional content analysis and integrated through triangulation. Psychometric evaluation will include Delphi consensus procedures and factor analyses. Quantitative data will be collected at five timepoints (pre-intervention baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months) and analysed using linear mixed-effects and dyadic (Actor-Partner Interdependence) models. Expected results: The Dyadic Capability Scale is expected to support the assessment of dyadic capability and the empirical refinement of the proposed conceptual framework for adaptive post-stroke care. Conclusions: This protocol proposes a theoretically grounded and clinically applicable conceptual framework for assessing dyadic capability in post-stroke care.