The evaluation of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic process on caregiver burden in caregivers of patients with chronic neurological diseases

This study was planned to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic process on workload level and psychological burden in caregivers of individuals with chronic neurological disease. 50 patients with an average age of 39.08±15.71 years, and 50 caregivers with an average age of 44.32±11.54 years were included within the scope of the study. The independence levels of the patients in their daily living activities were evaluated with the Barthel Index, and the cognitive levels of the caregivers were evaluated with the Mini Mental State Test in order to determine the eligibility of individuals for our study before the research. After obtaining the demographic information of eligible individuals, the depression levels of the patients, and caregivers was assessed with the Beck Depression Scale, their sleep quality with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, their quality of life with the SF-36 Quality of Life scale, their sexual life with the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and their mental well-being with the Warwick- With the Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, caregivers' burden of care was assessed twice, to be answered according to the pre-pandemic, and post-pandemic period, with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. It was observed at the end of the study that the depression levels of patients (p=0.00), and caregivers (p=0.00) increased during the pandemic process, sleep quality of caregivers (p=0.00), and patient (p=0.02) decreased during the pandemic process. Their well-being decreased for patients (p=0.01), and for caregivers (p=0.00). It was determined that the patients' sexual quality of life decreased (p=0.02). On the other hand, it was determined that caregivers' burden of care increased (p=0.00). Sub- parameters of the SF-36 scale, physical function (p=0.02) physical role difficulty (p=0.00), and emotional role difficulty (p=0.03) decreased for caregivers. In conclusion, we think that the well-being and psychological status of patients, and their caregivers are adversely affected due to the pandemic, and that psychological support services for individuals with chronic neurological diseases should be included in health policies during the pandemic process.