Functional disability associated to low-back pain in caregivers of children with severe cerebral palsy

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of physical, psychosocial, and sociodemographic variables to disability due to low-back pain among caregivers of children with severe cerebral palsy. The sample was made up of 45 caregivers with chronic back pain. Socio-demographic data, as well as pain, satisfaction with life and functional disability measures were collected. Data were statistically treated and significance level set at p<0.05. Variables showing significant association with disability (p<0.05) were entered in a multiple linear regression model. Mean score for pain was 5.67±2.23; for satisfaction with life, 18.9±6.64; and for disability, 9±5,35. Association between intensity of pain and disability was the only significant one found (r=0.34; p=0.021). Linear regression analysis confirmed that pain intensity is a major disability predictor and explained 11% of the disability (r=0.36, p<0.05). Low-back pain intensity is then a moderate predictor of functional disability, but no interference could be found of socio-demographic features or satisfaction with life in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.

Caregivers; Disability evaluation; Low-back pain