Handgrip strength and physical workload as key risk factors for low back pain in mothers of children with physical and intellectual disabilities: A post-COVID-19 study

Abstract

Background

Mothers raising children with disabilities may experience low back pain (LBP) due to depressive symptoms, physical workload (PW), and muscle weakness. Handgrip strength (HGS), a marker of total body muscular strength, is a controversial topic; however, its relationship with LBP in this population remains unclear and unexamined.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate LBP in mothers of children with physical and intellectual disabilities and its correlations with depression, physical workload, history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), handgrip strength, and socio-economic factors.

Methods

This descriptive study included mothers of 179 children with disabilities attending special education schools in Turkey between 2021 and 2022. Participants completed the Physical Workload Questionnaire (PWQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and were asked about LBP during the previous year and their history of COVID-19. The HGS of their dominant hand was measured using a hand dynamometer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with LBP.

Results

LBP was reported by 89.94% of the 179 enrolled mothers. The regression analysis indicated HGS < 28.50 lbs (odds ratio [OR] = 10.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.09–53.03; p = 0.004) and PWQ score > 14.77 (OR = 4.88; 95% CI =1.43–16.59; p = 0.011) as independent risk factors for LBP.

Conclusions

Assessment of HGS and PW may help identify the risk of LBP in mothers of children with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Keywords

Depression mothers of disabled children handgrip strength low back pain physical workload

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