Natural history of recovery after intracerebral haemorrhage: a scoping review protocol

Clinical trials for intracerebral haemorrhage typically measure outcomes in the same way and at the same time points as trials for ischaemic stroke. However, there is growing evidence that the trajectory of recovery following intracerebral haemorrhage may differ significantly from that following ischaemic stroke. A better understanding of current approaches to outcome assessment is essential to ensure that future trials examining treatments for intracerebral haemorrhage are designed appropriately.

To determine when and how outcomes are measured in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage.

With the assistance of an information specialist, we will conduct a scoping review by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science for prospective studies of adults with primary intracerebral haemorrhage and documented outcomes with specified times. Two reviewers will independently collect data on included studies pertaining to publication data, study population information, timing of outcome and details of the outcome measurement tools used. The extracted data will be used to demonstrate the type and timing of outcome measures.

Primary data will not be collected therefore formal ethics is not required. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and through presentation at academic conferences.