Background: Caring for a child with a disability presents a multifaceted challenge for managing and coping with the child’s functional limitations and possible long term dependence to the caregiver and family. A wide range of psychosocial problems are experienced by the parents of children with CP. As an important member of the rehabilitation team, Physiotherapists comes in regular and long term contact with family and care givers of the CP child. This increase responsibilities of a physiotherapist from more than just dealing with sensory-motor rehabilitation of a CP child to understand need and expectations and guide/counsel the caregiver, parents or family as and when needed. Studies like this can provide valuable information for designing a family centered care program for children with CP. Objective of present study was to identify the main concepts which represent levels of awareness, acceptance and their expectations in parents of children with cerebral palsy in Gujarat.Methods: Qualitative research design using in-depth semi structured interviews was used for the study. Total 21 parents were selected using purposive sampling and were interviewed till data saturation was achieved. The main descriptive elements regarding their levels of awareness, acceptance and expectations were extracted using content analysis method.Results: Common themes such as disturbed social relationships, health problems, financial problems, worries about future of the child, need for more support services, and lack of adequate number of trained physiotherapists were experienced by the parents.Conclusions: A wide range of experiences were described by the parents of children with CP. Studies like this can provide valuable information for improving depth and quality of rehabilitation services by a physiotherapist through a family centered care program for children with CP.

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Background: Parenting is inherently stressful at times and several studies have shown that being a caregiver of a child who is disabled is even more stressful. A number of studies have identified the factors which exacerbate or mediate parenting stress in caregivers of children who are disabled. The aim of this study was to assess the parenting stress levels in parents of children who have cerebral palsy as compared to parents of normal children. Further objectives were to ascertain variables predictive of parenting stress levels. Methods:The Gujarati translated version of Parenting Stress Index/Short Form was first validated and was given to 49 parents of children with cerebral palsy (Group-A) who were attending Varun Mahajan Apang Shishu Mandal, Vadodara and to the 50 parents of normal children(Group-B). Caregivers also completed a demographic questionnaire. 43 questionnaires from Group-A and 45 from Group-B were returned to the researcher. Means and frequencies were used to summarise the demographic data. Ttests were performed to establish whether there was any significant difference between the parenting stress levels in Group-A and Group-B.Results: The parents in Group-A showed clinically significant, and in many cases, pathological levels of parenting stress as compared to the parents in Group-B. Conclusions:The results of this study confirm that parenting stress is complex matter and it is important to predict the parenting stress levels of caregivers of disabled children. Therapists should evaluate the needs of each family individually and follow a family centred approach when managing children with cerebral palsy.

Background Physiotherapists are prone to develop work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Region wise distribution and frequency of work disturbance have been studied in physiotherapists but exploration of the probable association of working hours, job position, and body mass index (BMI) with WMSDs is not adequately done in the Gujarat, India. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate these aspects among the physiotherapists of Gujarat. Results An online cross-sectional survey including 322 physiotherapists was conducted and the data was collected after gaining informed electronic consent. Present study showed no significant co-relation between job position (0.602), weekly working hours (0.930), and BMI (0.589) with WMSDs prevalence. The 1-year work disturbance and 1-week musculoskeletal difficulties were found to be due to low back-related complaints (35.09%, 33.85%). Conclusion It is inferred that high prevalence of WMSDs in physiotherapists may be due to one of various factors including job position, working hours, and BMI but they are not significantly correlated with WMSDs.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are present universally where physiotherapists are found to be at higher risk of being affected due to the postures attained at work. This can lead to excessive exertion associated with significant discomfort and pain in loading joints. In addition to these, the anatomical, physiological and physical characteristics of males and females are disparate so gender-based differences may also affect. However, the paucity of data for correlating the years of experience with MSDs was found in Gujarat. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate the association between the prevalence of MSDs with an increase in work experience among the physiotherapists of Gujarat. Methods: This was an online cross-sectional survey study where 322 physiotherapists were included after gaining informed electronic consent. Prevalence rates were found by employing a standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and non - parametric tests were used for data analysis. Results: Present study showed no statistically significant relationship between the increase in work experience and work-related MSDs prevalence. It was also observed that females (68.63%) have more prevalence compare to males (61.19%). The majority f the physiotherapists reported complaints of MSDs in the lower back (41.30%) and neck (37.58%) regions. Conclusion: It is inferred that the chances of being affected by MSDs do not increase with years of work experience. Moreover, female physiotherapists are more prone to MSDs. Thus, early identification and interventions through ergonomic advice and physiotherapy can prove to be very effective in declining the rate of MSDs to a notable extent.