Examination of the correlation between perceived caregiver burden and functional parameters in caregivers of persons with disabilities

The aim of this study is to examine the caregiver burden of caregivers with persons disabilities by using methods for physiotherapy and rehabilitation assessments and to examine the correlation between these assessments. This study was planned as an observational research study. This study was performed with caregivers of persons with disabilities who live in Barrier-Free Living Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center in Kırşehir under Republic of Turkey Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services. In this study, socio-demographic data of the cases were recorded; and the sit and reach test, the Sorensen test for endurance, the side lateral bridge test, measurement of muscle strength with handheld dynamometer, The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) assessment of health-related quality of life, Measures of Depression and Depressive Symptoms with The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the caregiver burden scale to assess perceived burden among people caring for person with disabilities, and The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) to measure job satisfaction were used. 70 caregivers included in the study, 25 were female and 45 were male. These caregivers work between 40 and 56 hours a week. Each caregiver provide care to 12 persons with disabilities per day. (1 caregiver per 12 persons with disabilities) In the study, result of statistical analysis indicated that there were no significant differences between caregiver burden and muscle strength, marital status, years of education, and the MSQ (p>0.05). Statistical significant correlation was found between gender and muscle strength, six-minute walking distance, the Sorensen test, the side lateral bridge test, the NHP questionnaire, and VAS (p<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between age and walking distance, and a positive significant correlation between age and VAS(p <0.05). . A significant positive correlation was found between caregiving years of caregivers and VAS (p<0.05). A negative correlation was found between muscle strength and NHP questionnaire and VAS (p <0.05). While a positive correlation was found between NHP questionnaire and BDI (p <0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the BDI and MSQ, while a positive significant correlation was found between the BDI and the VAS(p<0.05). According to the findings, it was concluded that there are many parameters that influence caregiver burden, and a person's physical capacity affects the perceived burden.