Evaluation of the effects of stability and breathing exercises on fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep quality in mothers of physically handicapped children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of core stabilization and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep quality in mothers of physically disabled children. The study included 43 mothers of 3 to 14-year-old children with physical disabilities. The mothers in the control group (n=20) received only core stabilization exercises, while the mothers in the study group (n=23) received training in diaphragmatic breathing exercises with pursed-lip breathing in addition to core stabilization exercises. Exercises were administered 3 days a week for 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, fatigue level was assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), anxiety level was assessed by the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and depression level was assessed by the Beck Depression Scale (BDS). In addition, sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the muscular-skeletal system pain severity was assessed by the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ-E). As a result of the evaluations, a significant decrease in fatigue and depression levels and a significant increase in sleep quality were observed in the control group (p <0.05). There was also a significant decrease in neck, back, waist, knee and foot / ankle pain (p <0.05). However, there was no significant difference in anxiety level (p> 0.05). İn the study group, there was a significant decrease in fatigue, anxiety level and depression levels and a significant increase in sleep quality (p <0.05). There was also a significant decrease in neck, shoulder, back, elbow, hand / wrist and waist pain (p <0.05). According to these findings, in addition to core stabilization exercises, diaphragmatic breathing exercises were found to be more effective than single administration of core stabilization exercises on fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep quality. As a result, caregivers of disabled children also need a routine rehabilitation as much as they do. This approach will be useful in improving the physical and mental health of caregivers. Key words: Core stabilization, respiratory exercises, caregivers of disabled children.