Effects of PDCA Cycle-Guided Individualized Evidence-Based Nursing on Functional Recovery and Quality of Life After...

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a critical neurological condition often associated with severe disability and reduced quality of life. Effective postoperative nursing interventions are essential for promoting functional recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of individualized evidence-based nursing guided by the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle on postoperative functional recovery and quality of life in patients with ICH.

A total of 152 patients with ICH admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital of TCM between March 2022 and March 2025 were included and divided into a control group (n = 79) and a study group (n = 73) according to different nursing strategies. The control group received routine nursing care, while the study group received individualized evidence-based nursing guided by the PDCA cycle. Psychological status (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS], Self-Rating Depression Scale [SDS]), neurological function (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment [FMA]), activities of daily living (Barthel Index [BI]), self-management ability, and quality of life (Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 [GQOLI-74]) were evaluated before and after the intervention.

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (p > 0.05). Prior to intervention, no significant differences existed between the two groups in SAS, SDS, NIHSS, FMA, BI, self-management ability, or GQOLI-74 scores (all p > 0.05). Post-intervention, the study group exhibited significantly lower SAS and SDS scores than the control group (p < 0.001). NIHSS scores were significantly lower than the control group, while FMA and BI scores were significantly higher than the control group (all p < 0.001). Additionally, post-intervention self-management ability and GQOLI-74 scores in the study group were significantly higher than the control group (all p ≤ 0.001).

The PDCA cycle-guided individualized evidence-based nursing approach significantly promotes neurological and motor recovery, improves psychological well-being, enhances self-management abilities, and optimizes overall quality of life in patients following ICH. This structured and patient-centered nursing model demonstrates significant clinical value and warrants broader clinical implementation.