Stroke severity to determine musculoskeletal symptoms in family caregivers.
Tugba Sahbaz, Cansın Medin-Ceylan
PMID 37820216WHAT IT FOUND
Family caregivers of stroke survivors reported low back pain most often, and their low back and shoulder symptoms were linked to the patient's disability.
Neck, hip, knee and foot pain did not track the patient's condition.
Key findings
01Low back pain was the most common caregiver complaint, and caregivers with low back pain cared for patients with lower walking, independence, stroke impact and arm or leg movement scores.
02Caregiver shoulder problems were linked to patient walking, independence, stroke impact, arm, hand and leg movement scores, and to upper and lower limb spasticity.
03Neck pain was the second most common complaint but was not associated with patient-related factors; hip, knee and foot pain were related to caregiver age and BMI rather than the patient's condition.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study measured caregiver pain and patient disability at one time, so it cannot show that caring for a more disabled patient causes caregiver pain. Caregivers older than 65 years and those with known musculoskeletal disease, surgery, neurological disability or psychological problems were excluded, so the results may not apply to many real caregivers. Caregiver musculoskeletal complaints were based on questionnaire answers, not physical examination or imaging. The study took place in one rehabilitation outpatient clinic in Istanbul, so it may not represent other settings. The authors note possible bias from the study design and caution against broad generalisation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these links as proof that patient disability causes caregiver musculoskeletal pain. The study measured both at one time, excluded caregivers older than 65 years and those with known musculoskeletal disease, and did not test any intervention.