Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

SUMMARY -Th e aim of the study was to investigate whether there is diff erence in the quality of life between mothers of children with cerebral palsy and mothers of healthy children, as well as whether the quality of life in mothers of children with cerebral palsy depends on their level of education, child's mobility and child's functional status. A total of 141 mothers participated in the research. Mothers were divided into two groups, 71 mothers of children with cerebral palsy and 70 mothers of healthy children from the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). A multidimensional questionnaire PedsQL™ 2.0 Family Impact Mode was used for assessment of the impact of pediatric chronic health condition on the mothers' functioning. Th e level of functional disability of the child was measured by the Gross Motor Function Classifi cation System (GMFCS levels I-V) scale. Mothers of children with cerebral palsy had poorer quality of life than mothers of healthy children in all investigated domains. In relation to mobility of the child, the quality of life was worse in mothers whose children did not move in the area of social functioning in comparison to mothers whose children had the ability to move independently. A statistically signifi cant negative correlation existed between functional status of a child measured with GMFCS and social functioning of mothers, mothers' daily activities, parental functioning, family functioning, and overall quality of life of mothers.

Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Polish Primary Parental Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy Compared to a Control Group, as well as Identification of Selected Predictors

“…The main challenges faced by the parents include effective management of the child’s health problems and a need to satisfy the defined standards of care [12]. Long-term responsibility for a disabled child, combined with a necessity to face adversities and challenges associated with handling the child, frequently leads to negative emotions, such as anxiety, sadness, anger, hopelessness and distress, experienced by the person, and adversely affecting the functioning of the parents and the entire family [13,14,15]. The most common effects of long-lasting caregiver burden include depressive and anxiety disorders of varied intensity [1,6,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26].…”

Sat0713-Hpr dynamic Joint Stability Measured as Gait Symmetry in People With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Also there was a significant difference in the Beck Depression Scale score decreased from 25,16±9,46 to 12,76±7,50 (p=0,009). Conclusion: Mothers with disabled children complain about back pain during activities such as caregiving their children (4). This study reveals that back pain, relevant functional influence and depression could be reduced in mothers by perform recommended exercises regularly.…”

Burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

“…Estudos anteriores identificaram baixa qualidade de vida entre cuidadores de crianças com paralisia cerebral (nas áreas de comunicação, preocupações, funcionamento emocional e atividade diária, bem como nos domínios físico, psicológico, relações sociais e ambientais, incluindo saúde física e mental) em comparação com cuidar de crianças saudáveis ou crianças com problemas de saúde de menor gravidade (3)(4)8) . Crianças com paralisia cerebral apresentam mais deficiências do que crianças saudáveis (16) e podem ser mais dependentes dos cuidadores impactando, assim, a qualidade de vida dos cuidadores.…”

“…Cuidar é considerado uma parte normal de ser pai, mas, os cuidados que as crianças com paralisia cerebral requerem podem aumentar a carga e o estresse do cuidador (3) . A convivência com uma condição crônica como a paralisia cerebral não afeta apenas a criança, mas seu efeito pode se estender a outros membros da família, principalmente ao cuidador que, muitas vezes, é a mãe ou o pai da criança (4) .…”