Investigation of caregiver burden, quality of life and activity performance of primary caregivers of stroke individuals with and without aphasia

This study was planned in order to investigate the caregiver burden, quality of life and activity performance of primary caregivers of stroke individuals with and without aphasia. A total of 102 caregivers were included in our study. Sociodemographic information form, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, SF-36 Short Form and Canadian Activity Performance Measurement tests were administered to all participants. In addition, two open-ended questions were asked about the effects of activities of daily living and quality of life. In our study, it was observed that caregivers of stroke individuals with aphasia had higher levels of caregiver burden than primary caregivers of individuals with stroke without aphasia (t=3.8, p=0.01). Participants caring for stroke individuals with aphasia had higher pain levels (t=-2.21, p=0.029) and lower social functions (t=-2.54, p=0.013) compared to participants caring for stroke individuals without aphasia. There was no statistically significant difference between the other sub-parameters, physical role difficulty, physical function, emotional role difficulty, general health, vitality, and mental health levels (p>0.05). It was observed that the activity performance (t=-3.31, p=0.001) and satisfaction levels (t=-3.57, p=0.001) of the participants caring for a stroke individual with aphasia were lower than the participants caring for a stroke individual without aphasia. When the activities that the participants had problems with were examined, it was determined that the participants in both groups had problems in the areas of leisure and social participation. It has been observed that the participants who care for stroke individuals with aphasia have more problems in activities that require going out such as going to the hospital, going to the bank, shopping, and educational activities that require motivation and attention compared to those who care for stroke individuals without aphasia. Occupational therapy evaluation and intervention programs for caregivers who play an important role in stroke rehabilitation should include approaches to caregiver burden, pain levels, social functions and activity performances of caregivers of individuals with aphasia.