The relationship between characteristics of the children with cerebral palsy and the pyhsical workload,musculoskeletal system problems, depression and the quality of life of the caregivers

Aim: To investigate the relationship between characteristics of the children with cerebral palsy and the physical workload, musculoskeletal system problems, depression and the quality of life of the caregivers Materials and Methods: A total of 582 people who consists of 291 children with CP (age: 4-18 years) and their 291 caregivers were evaluated. Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Physical Workload Questionnaire (PWQ), NECK Disability Index, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), OSWESTRY Disability Index and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to evaluate the caregivers. The children with Cerebral Palsy were assessed with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Results: A positive significant correlation was determined between Nottingham Health Profile total scores Gross Motor Function Classification System scores (p<0,001).There is a medium correlation between Gross Motor Function Classification System and Physical Workload Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index(p<0,001). Beck Depression Inventory has low correlations with Nottingham Health Profile in all subscales (p<0,001). Between Gross Motor Function Classification System and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (p=0,022) ve Low Extremity Functional Scale (p=0,016) there is a significant low correlation. There is a significant difference between Nottingham Health Profile (p<0,001), Physical Workload Questionnare (p<0,001), Oswestry Disability Index (p<0,001) and Beck Depression Inventory (p<0,001) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (p=0,012) among the caregivers with intellectuelly affected children and not affected children. Conclusion: The quality of life and physical activity levels of the caregivers decrease, depression, pyhsical work load and back pain levels increase due to the mobility level of the children with cerebral palsy and children with mental affect. Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Physical Workload, Physical Activity Level, Musculoskeletal System Problems, Quality of Life, Depression and Independence Level