Quality of Life and low back pain in primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of primary caregivers of children with CP, correlating with the presence of low back pain and motor impairment level of the child. For this research to have been carried out there was the participation of 55 primary caregivers that completed the questionnaires of Roland & Morris (QRM) and WHOQOL-Bref. The evaluation of children's motor impairment was measured by Gross Motor function Classification System (GMFCS). The results show that primary caregivers of children with CP had a loss in their quality of life, especially in the environmental domain and facet pain and discomfort (30.45), negative feelings (34.09), and recreation and leisure (37.27). There were no significant correlations between motor impairment in children with CP, the quality of life of their primary caregivers, and the symptoms of low back pain. However, it was observed that the average symptoms of low back pain are lower in caregivers of children with minor motor impairment (p=0.488), and that there is a significant negative correlation (r=-0.508, p<0.001) between the symptoms of back pain and quality of life of caregivers.

Functional Independence of Children With Myelomeningocele: Is It Associated With the Informal Caregivers' Burden?

“…These data are similar to other studies (Figueiredo et al, 2016;Macedo et al, 2015;Rofail et al, 2013;Valença et al, 2012). The lack of a support system for caregivers who need to give up paid work in order to care for the child is one of the health system's weaknesses (Neves, Pietrovski, & Claudino, 2015) and is still a neglected topic.…”

Family resources and promotion of development of children with cerebral palsy

“…The group of participating mothers is quite similar to that reported by other researchers, with young mothers who have good schooling and are professionally active 15 .…”

Caring-Related Chronic Low Back Pain and Associated Factors among Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

“…CLBP is the most prevalent caring-related disability in mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) (44.7%) [ 3 , 4 ]. Also, it is the most common cause of limitations in these mothers and causes undesirable effects on the quality of life [ 5 – 8 ].…”

“…Some risk factors for low back pain have been reported in different occupational groups. In previous studies, it has been demonstrated that the high grade Body Mass Index (BMI) [ 9 , 10 ] and the low level of education [ 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 ], as individual characteristics, lead to low back pain. Also, it has been reported that bending [ 4 , 9 , 13 ], lifting [ 9 , 10 , 13 – 15 ], and repetitive movements [ 4 , 9 , 16 ] lead to low back pain as work-related physical factors.…”