Low Back Pain in Mothers of Children With Disabilities

Relationships Between Handgrip Strength, Physical Workload, Depression, and Low Back Pain in Mothers of Children With Disabilities Following COVID-19 Pandemic

This is a cross-sectional study that aims to determine the prevalence of low back pain in mothers of children with disabilities following the COVID-19 pandemic and to describe its relationship with exposure to the virus, handgrip strength, physical workload, and depression.

Low back pain is a very common problem in mothers of children with disabilities. Musculoskeletal pain have been on the rise with COVID-19 but the effects of the pandemic on the prevalence of low back pain in mothers of children with disabilities have not been investigated. The relationship between handgrip strength and low back pain is well known. There are limited studies investigating handgrip strength or muscle strength in mothers of children with disabilities, and no studies examining the relationship between handgrip strength and low back pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Having a disabled child
• Being responsible for the care of a disabled child
• Having provided care for a disabled child for at least one year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having more than one disabled child and being responsible for their care
• Having previously undergone surgery on the lower back
• Having a previous upper extremity disorder
• Receiving psychological treatment or medication
• Being pregnant or having recently given birth
• Having a recent history of trauma to the musculoskeletal system
• Having a defined chronic illness