Factors affecting low back pain in mothers who have disabled children

Abstract

Purpose:

To determine factors that affect low back pain in mothers with disabled children.

Method:

Thirty-one children with cerebral palsy (CP) and 27 children with muscular dystrophy (MD) and 30 healthy children and their mothers were included in study. The functional independence measure for children (Wee FIM) evaluated levels of independence of disabled children in ADL. A visual analog scale was used to assess back pain degree of mothers. An Oswestry low back pain questionnaire scale (OBPDQ) was used for determining physical disability. Environmental and architectural barriers were assessed according to international standards. The Ovako Working Postures Analysing System (OWAS) evaluated disabled children’s mothers’ postures while transferring and lifting children.

Results:

There were differences between three groups. Pain intensity, duration and OBPDQ scores were higher in disabled children’s mothers than healthy children’s mothers. A negative correlation was found between Wee FIM locomotion, mobility, and OBPDQ scores. Pain intensity, duration, and OBPDQ scores were significantly higher in mothers of nonambulatory disabled children (p < 0.05). Home evaluation showed that barriers to stairs or lack of an elevator were the most significant home barriers. OWAS demonstrated that 94% of disabled children’s mothers back postures were 20 degrees overflexed and rotated, the lower extremities were generally right position (53%) or flexed knee (46%).

Conclusions:

Protective back health programs must be developed for disabled children’s mothers to teach correct transfer and lifting techniques. Suitable architecture and assistive devices should be implemented.