Evaluation of caregiver burden, musculoskeletal problems, quality of life and anxiety in children with cerebral palsy

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the relationship between individual and clinical characteristics of children with CP, family and caregiver characteristics and caregiver care burden, musculoskeletal problems, quality of life and anxiety levels. In the study, individual characteristics of the child with CP were recorded as age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The affected area, gross motor function skills and level, fine motor skills, sleep status, pain status, functional independence levels, communication skills and presence of cognitive problems were evaluated as clinical characteristics of the child with CP. Family characteristics were recorded as number of siblings, income status and place of residence. For caregivers, care burden was measured with the Zarit Care Burden Scale (ZCBSS), musculoskeletal problems with the Örebro Musculoskeletal System Screening Questionnaire-12-TR (ÖKİSTA-12) and the Scandinavian Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (IKİSA), anxiety levels with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and quality of life with the EuroQOL- EQ5D5L questionnaire. There was a relationship between the musculoskeletal problems of the caregivers and the age and gender of the child, income status of the family, number of affected areas, presence of cognitive problems, gross motor function skills, sleep disorders and functional independence levels (p<0.05). The quality of life of the caregivers was associated with the gender of the child, the presence of cognitive problems in the child and the BMI of the caregiver (p<0.05). Anxiety level of the caregivers was correlated with the presence of cognitive problems and pain severity (p<0.05). No relationship was found between care burden of caregivers and any variable (p>0.05). The related factors should be focussed on to improve the musculoskeletal problems of caregivers, to improve quality of life and to reduce anxiety levels. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, care burden, musculoskeletal problems, quality of life, anxiety