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

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, β = 2.62, p < .001), BMI (OR 11.85, β = 2.47, p = .011), repetitive bending (OR 7.67, β = 2.04, p = .010), forward-flexion (OR 6.71, β = 1.91, p = .033), and level of education (OR .21, β = −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.