Caring-Related Chronic Low Back Pain and Associated Factors among Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background. Literature indicated some risk factors for low back pain; however, there is insufficient knowledge on the effect of caring-related physical activities and individual characteristics on Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) in mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Objective. The main aim of the current study was to determine the association between caring-related physical activities, Body Mass Index (BMI), education level, and CLBP in mothers of children with CP. Design. Case-control observational study. Setting. Pediatric rehabilitation clinics. Participants. Mothers of children with CP. Main Outcome Measures. Measures is comprised of a self-administered questionnaire that included the demographic characteristics items, pain visual analog scale, and three items of the job-related physical demands questionnaire. The logistic regression model served to assess the association. Results. The control group included 81 healthy mothers, with a mean (SD) age of 39 (8.45) years, and the case group contained 90 mothers who suffered from CLBP, with a mean (SD) age of 37 (8.64) years. Performing lifting movements (OR 13.73, $\beta =2.62$ , $p<.001$ ), BMI (OR 11.85, $\beta =2.47$ , $p=.011$ ), repetitive bending (OR 7.67, $\beta =2.04$ , $p=.010$ ), forward-flexion (OR 6.71, $\beta =1.91$ , $p=.033$ ), and level of education (OR .21, $\beta =-1.53$ , $p=.020$ ), in descending order of odds ratios, were found to be significant predictors of the CLBP in mothers of children with CP. Conclusion. Avoiding caring-related harmful physical activities, maintaining body weight within a healthy range, and increasing knowledge for accurate lifting/handling techniques can be helpful to prevent the CLBP in mothers of children with CP.