Investigating The Contribution of Physiotherapy in The Quality of Life of Parents with Children and Adolescents diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Many researchers have focused on the quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy, but few have been done about the quality of life of parents with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. In addition, less attention has been paid to the contribution of physiotherapy to the quality of life of parents with those children. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of parents with children and adolescents diagnosed with cerebral palsy. A secondary aim was to investigate the contribution of physiotherapy to the everyday life of these parents, namely that the effects of physiotherapy on the child automatically affect the quality of life of the parents. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to parents (N=30) at the Developmental Pediatrics Center “Apostolos Fokas”, which belongs to the 1st Pediatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Hippocratio”, as well as to a private pediatric physiotherapy center in the Thessaloniki area. The study’s measurement instrument was the specialized quality of life questionnaire for parents with children and adolescents diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which designed by the first author of this dissertation and includes 3 sections (totally, 32 questions). Results: The results showed that parents have been affected by their child’s disability in different aspects of their everyday lives, such as social and family relationships, economical status and individual well-being. On the other hand, parents are involved in the intervention process and consider that physiotherapy contributes positively to the quality of life by enhancing their child’s functionality. Conclusion: According to the research hypothesis, the condition of the children, directly, affects the quality of life of parents. However, through the physiotherapeutic approach and, therefore, the functional independence of the child, the quality of life of these parents may improves. Cerebral palsy is one of the most common developmental disabilities that begins in early childhood and remains throughout life [1]. A child with cerebral palsy requires multiple and specialized care, which exceeds that of a normal coeval child and therefore requires more attention by parents [1]. This chronic care turns into a chronic weight, with the result that parents are often bound for a lifetime [2]. As Seligman and Darling [3] report, for some families care takes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and for many years. All of these contribute, causing the family to suffer physically and psychologically. Most researches have focused on the effects of the care for a child with cerebral palsy on parental mental health, but less attention has been paid to their quality of life [4-9]. Within the field of the quality of life, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) includes: physical health, mental state, independence, social relations, environment, religion, beliefs, determination and conflicting views. According to the existing literature, the quality of life about parents with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy is lower than the quality of life of the general population and parents with normal children [4-9]. Studies suggest that mothers burden themselves greater with the child care [3]. In particular, parents (more so mothers) are in many cases characterized as socially isolated and limited because of the demands of the child care. Assistants in the chronic care of a disabled child (with less frequent help) appear fathers and sisters. Very little help seems to be given by relatives and friends [2]. Regarding the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, it must be complete [10]. Physiotherapy plays a central role in managing a child with cerebral palsy and focuses on the functionality, active motion and optimal use of the child’s potentials [10]. The goals of rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy are to minimize the effects of physical impairments, to help the child gain independence in society and to improve the quality of life of these children and their families, who play an important role in the whole process of rehabilitation [11]. Previously, physical and occupational therapists used to focus on impairments and limitations of the child [12]. However, the provision of services in pediatric rehabilitation has undergone significant changes in recent decades [13]. The most extensive change that has taken place was the review of the role of the family. In about half a century, the role of parents in the care process has evolved into being a target for intervention. Recent literature on pediatric rehabilitation has shown that interventions focusing on children and their families can lead to satisfaction by the care, the well-being of parents and the reduction of parental anxiety [14]. Families involved in the care of their child have the opportunity to learn more about their child and their child’s treatment options. Family members, in turn, are able to share their knowledge with professionals and this provides a holistic picture of the child and, also, is a way to raise their child’s awareness, as part of the family [13]. Taking into account the deficits of existing literature, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the contribution of physiotherapy to the quality of life of parents with children and adolescents diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It is widespread that the aim of physiotherapy in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy is to improve functionality, by enhancing the gross motor function and learning functional activities. Therefore, through the specially formulated quality of life questionnaire for parents with children and adolescents suffering from cerebral palsy, we assume that the functionality of the person with cerebral palsy is inextricably linked to the quality of life of their parents and guardians. Thus, if we thoroughly record the quality of life of this category of parents, we will contribute to a more holistic and sufficient physiotherapeutic intervention.
Authors and Affiliations
Anna-Evgenia Chasidou, Alexandra Hristara-Papadopoulou, Savvas-Alexandros Zorzos, Anna Chalkia, Emmanouil Trevlakis
Keywords
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- EP ID EP567447
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000207
- Views 157
- Downloads 0
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