World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ROLE STRAIN AND BURDEN AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Salma Suresh and Kanmani J.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with the major burden of informal care on the spouse and other family members. Objectives of the study were to identify the role strain and burden, find correlation between role strain and burden and find association between role strain and burden with selected variables among caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach with descriptive design was chosen. 85 subjects who were caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s disease were selected using non- probability convenience sampling technique and the data were collected using Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results: Among 85 subjects, 67 (78.8%) were spouses .Clinical data revealed 39 (45.9%) patients were in stage 3 of their illness and more than half i.e.52 (61.2%) patients had disease onset within 5 years. Majority of 75 subjects (88.2%) belong to mild category of MCSI and 81(95.3%) subjects had minimal burden. A moderately positive correlation between role strain and burden was found. The disability of disease was significantly associated with role strain and burden. Also there was a significant association between burden and clinical variables including urinary problems, disease severity, and medication carbidopa -levodopa at p>.05 level of significance. Conclusion: The study findings revealed the fact that role strain and burden were correlated and the relatively low role strain and burden among the caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s disease can be attributed to less severity and duration of disease.

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