Musculoskeletal disorders among caregivers of stroke patients

Abstract

Purpose: The study was done to identify the common musculoskeletal disorders among caregivers of stroke patients. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic information of the caregivers. To investigate the number of caregivers experienced musculoskeletal disorder and know the severity of symptoms. To explore the types and commonly experienced musculoskeletal disorder among caregivers. To identify the association between affected body parts with age, gender, caregiving duration, caregiving hours. To find out the vulnerable working posture influencing to musculoskeletal disorder. Methods: The study was conducted by using of cross-sectional method. 123 participants were selected from Neurology unit, CRP, Savar, Dhaka by following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All data were collected through face-to face interview by using a semi structured questionnaire. Results: About 64% (n=83) participants were female and rest of them33% (n=40) were male. Most of the participants faced musculoskeletal disorder 97% (n=120). Among them 59% faced musculoskeletal disorder at2-5 months ago and in most case 37% were caregiving from 6-11 months. The most participants were of 20-30years. 29% faced musculoskeletal disorder on lower back, 17% on knee, 14.5% on upper back, 13.3% on shoulder(s), 9.7% on Neck ,8% on Ankle/Feet(s), 3.9% on Elbows, Hip/Thigh(s) and 3.1% on wrist. And most of the participants were wife (37%) and daughter (18%). Conclusion: The study was representing the strong evidence that musculoskeletal disorders are common in caregivers of stroke patient. Care givers are the part and parcel of intervention program. They need to care for their own health in order to reduce musculoskeletal problems, corrective posture and ergonomics concern from Physiotherapist regarding caring for their patients and managing their everyday life, reduction of prolonged working hours can prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, the stroke survivors as well as the caregivers may get their fruitful intervention. Key words: MSDs, Caregivers, Stroke patient.