Relationship between Physical Activity Level and Sleep Quality in Mothers of Individuals with Special Needs

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity level and sleep quality in mothers of individuals with special needs.
 Material and Methods: Three hundred twenty-one mothers (average age: 41.92±9.53 years) with a disabled child participated in the study from Osmangazi county of Bursa province in Türkiye. Demographic characteristics of the mothers were collected through a personal information form prepared by the researchers. The mothers’ physical activity level was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF). The mothers’ sleep quality was determined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The physical activity level of the disabled individuals was determined based on their mothers’ statements. 
 Results: The mean IPAQ-SF score of the mothers was found to be 1080.58±986.88 MET-min/week, and their mean PSQI score was determined to be 7.46±3.62. The disabled individuals’ physical activity level was evaluated as a)15.9% (n=51) of the disabled individuals regularly participated in a sporting activity, b) 32.4% (n=104) did not participate in sports but made efforts to stay active, and c) 51.7% (n=166) were considered inactive. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that a) there was no relationship between IPAQ-SF and PSQI scores (r: -0.056, p=0.313), b) the physical activity level of individuals with special needs did not correlate with PSQI scores of the mothers (r: -0.95, p=0.089), and c) no relationship was determined between the age of individuals with special needs and mothers' sleep quality and physical activity level.
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that increasing the physical activity level of mothers cannot be an effective intervention to improve sleep quality in mothers of individuals with special needs. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between physical activity level and sleep quality in mothers of individuals with special needs.