Construction of an exercise management protocol for cancer patients with PICC-PORT totally implantable vascular access device

Background: Exercise management for cancer patients with arm peripherally inserted central catheter-PORT (PICC-PORT) requires standardization to prevent complications and optimize outcomes. However, evidence-based exercise protocols specifically designed for these patients are lacking. Objective: To develop a comprehensive exercise management protocol for cancer patients with PICC-PORT through systematic investigation and expert consensus. Methods: A three-phase approach was employed: (1) semi-structured interviews with 22 oncology nurses to identify practical challenges; (2) systematic evidence synthesis from clinical guidelines and databases; and (3) two-round Delphi consultation with 18 intravenous therapy experts. Results: The final protocol comprises five key dimensions with 25 evidence-based measures, including exercise assessment, exercise components, exercise timing, exercise dosage, and exercise precautions. Expert consensus was achieved with authority coefficients of 0.894 and 0.897 for two rounds, and variation coefficients ranging from 0 to 0.22 in the final round. Conclusions: This study established a standardized, evidence-based exercise protocol for cancer patients with PICC-PORT. The protocol integrates with established implantation guidelines and provides comprehensive guidance for clinical practice. Future research should evaluate its effectiveness through randomized controlled trials.