Stress and Compliance with A Home Exercise Program Among Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

Abstract

Objective:

We sought to identify the relationship between caregiver stress and compliance with home programs in caregivers of children with disabilities.

Methods:

In 2023, a population-based study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants aged 20 years to 50 years and older were selected according to convenience sampling strategy.100 caregivers of children with disabilities responded to a survey to determine their level of compliance with a prescribed home physical therapy program and the level of caregiver stress. Compliance was defined as the degree to which caregivers followed the prescribed frequency of the home program.

Results:

According to the results, it was reported that the caregivers showed noncompliance with the home programs being prescribed by the physical therapists. The data analysis through linear regression revealed a strong and significant relationship between the caregiver’s non-compliance with the home program and the level of stress they stated. Correlation coefficients showed a strong and significant relationship between domestic problems and noncompliance with home programs. This reveals that the home program noncompliance increased due to the caregiver and family problems increment.

Conclusion:

Caregivers of children with disabilities experience stress that should be addressed by the therapists to maximize compliance with home programs.