The Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain Characteristics, and Activity Levels of Caregivers During the Rehabilitation Process and the Consequences on Sleep Condition, Health Status, and Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective Taking care of a patient can significantly impact both physical and psychological statuses of caregivers. This study aimed to examine musculoskeletal problems, health status, and quality of life of caregivers. This study is novel in determining musculoskeletal disorders, pain characteristics, activity levels, sleep condition, general and psychological health statuses, and quality of life of caregivers.

Design A cross-sectional study

Patients and Methods A total of 240 participants were enrolled in this prospective and cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary rehabilitation center (patients, n = 120; caregivers, n = 120). The demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were recorded during the evaluation process. The Functional Ambulation Classification Scale (FAS) and Barthel Scale scores of the patients were determined. The pain level of the caregivers was evaluated according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)–short form was used to evaluate caregivers’ activity levels. The quality of life of caregivers was evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Scales score (WHOQOL-BREF). The anxiety and depression status of the caregivers were interpreted using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, The health level of the caregivers was evaluated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire.

Results A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the duration of caregiving (hours per week) and the pain duration of the caregiver (month) (P = 0.000, r = 0.766). the caregivers who provided longer-term care for their patients (hours per week) had higher VAS scores (P = 0.000, r = 0.944). A significant reverse correlation was found between the duration of caregiving (hours per week) and IPAQ-Walking MET (metabolic equivalent) scores (minutes/week) (P = 0.000, r = –0.811). On the contrary, a positive significant association was detected between the duration of caregiving (hours per week) and IPAQ-Vigorous MET scores (minutes/week) due to the caregiving activities of the patients such as lifting, positioning, and so forth. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of caregiving (hours per week) and Hospital Depression Scale scores (P = 0.000, r = 0.394), Hospital Anxiety Scale scores (P = 0.000, r = 0.548), and Health Assessment Questionnaire scores (P = 0.000, r = 0.415).

Conclusion Providing protective exercise programs, including walking activity, to caregivers and organizing education programs that include caregiving techniques can positively affect the quality of life of caregivers.

Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung Die Pflege eines Patienten kann sowohl den physischen als auch den psychischen Zustand der Pflegenden erheblich beeinträchtigen. Ziele dieser Studie sind die Untersuchungen der muskuloskelettalen Probleme, des Gesundheitszustandes und der Lebensqualität der Pflegenden. Diese neuartige Studie ermittelt muskuloskelettale Beschwerden, Schmerzcharakteristika, Aktivitätsniveau, Schlafzustand, allgemeinen und psychologischen Gesundheitszustand und Lebensqualität der Pflegenden.

Design eine Querschnittsstudie

Patienten und Methoden Für diese an einem tertiären Rehabilitationszentrum durchgeführte prospektive und querschnittliche Studie wurden insgesamt 240 Teilnehmer eingeschlossen (Patienten, n=120; Pfleger, n=120). Die demografischen und klinischen Eigenschaften der Teilnehmer wurden während des Auswertungsprozesses erfasst. Die Werte der funktionellen Ambulanzskala (FAS) und der Barthel-Skala der Patienten sind erfasst worden. Das Schmerzniveau der Pflegekräfte wurde gemäß der Visual Analog Scale (VAS) bewertet. Zur Bewertung des Aktivitätsniveaus der Pfleger wurde der IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire)-Kurzform verwendet. Die Lebensqualität des Pflegepersonals wurde mit dem WHOQOL-BREF-Score (World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Scales) bewertet. Der Angst-und Depressionsstatus des Pflegepersonals wurde mit der Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale interpretiert, der Gesundheitszustand des Pflegepersonals wurde mit dem Health Assessment Questionnaire erfasst,

Ergebnisse Es wurde ein statistisch signifikanter positiver Zusammenhang zwischen der Dauer der Pflege (Stunden pro Woche) und der Schmerzdauer (Monat) festgestellt (p=0,000, r=0,766). Pflegekräfte, die ihre Patienten länger pflegten (Stunden pro Woche), hatten höhere VAS-Werte (p=0,000, r=0,944). Es wurde eine signifikante inverse Korrelation zwischen der Betreuungsdauer (Stunden pro Woche) und den IPAQ Walking MET (metabolisches Äquivalent) Scores (Minuten/Woche) gefunden (p=0,000, r=− 0,811). Andererseits wurde ein positiver signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen der Dauer der Pflege (Stunden pro Woche) und den IPAQ-Vigorous MET-Scores (Minuten/Woche) aufgrund der Pflegetätigkeiten der Patienten wie Heben, Positionieren usw. festgestellt. Darüber hinaus wurde eine signifikante positive Korrelation zwischen der Dauer der Pflege (Stunden pro Woche) und den Werten der Hospital Depression Scale (p=0,000, r=0,394), der Hospital Anxiety Scale (p=0,000, r=0,548) und dem Health Assessment Questionnaire (p=0,000, r=0,415) festgestellt.

Schlussfolgerung Die Bereitstellung von protektiven Aktivitätsprogrammen, einschließlich Spaziergängen, für Pflegende und die Organisation von Schulungsprogrammen, die Pflegetechniken einschließen, können die Lebensqualität von Pflegenden positiv beeinflussen.

Key words

Caregivers - Pain - Health Status - Activity Level

Schlüsselwörter

Pflegepersonal - Schmerz - Gesundheitszustand - Aktivitätsniveaul

Publication History

Received: 30 May 2021

Accepted: 27 August 2021

Article published online:
22 September 2021

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