Abstract
Thirty mothers of children with muscular dystrophies who had a minimum of 2 years of low back pain were reviewed. The purpose was to determine whether subjects with physical impairments are more susceptible to back pain as a result of cumulative trauma stemming from carrying their disabled children. Specifically, this study was performed to investigate the occurrence of low back pain and disability in mothers of children with neuromuscular disorders. Physical impairment has not previously been associated with mothers' back pain. There are, however, relationships between the mother's weight, the child's weight and VAS. The mothers' muscle strength of trunk flexion and extension, flexibility of trunk flexion and lateral flexion, and endurance of abdominal muscles were measured. Body Mass Index of the mothers and children were calculated. In order to assess low back pain, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale were used. There were statistically positive correlations between body mass index of children, body mass index of mothers, weight of mothers, Oswestry Scores of mothers and visual analogue scale. As mothers who are responsible for all the daily activities of their disabled children, evaluation of related musculoskeletal problems should be addressed and the appropriate protective back care programs should be explained and prescribed in order to help them in their caregiver roles.