Caregiving activities closely associated with the development of low-back pain among female family caregivers.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe what effects low back pain has on the daily lives of female family caregivers and to elucidate the caregiving factors associated with its development. BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom in caregivers. However, few detailed studies have examined the association of low back pain with the daily lives of female family caregivers or which caregiving activities lead to their low back pain. The elucidation of these issues will contribute to the prevention and treatment of their low back pain. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Japanese female family caregivers (n = 156) completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing lifestyle, health status, daily activity and caregiving situation. Correlation analysis measured the association between low back pain and daily activity. Logistic regression analysis identified care activities related to low back pain. RESULTS: Thirty-five (22·4%) participants almost always experienced low back pain. The severity of low back pain was significantly and positively associated with difficulty in daily activities, especially bending and extending the lower back. As for care situation factors and caregiving activities, night care, assisting the family member to stand up and to lie down, dealing with problem behaviours, and taking medication were associated with the development of low back pain. After reclassifying the respective caregiving activities, those involving body repositioning and those mainly performed in a static position showed significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Low back pain in female family caregivers negatively affects their daily activities and certain caregiving activities are involved in the development of low back pain. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Clinical nurses understand the situation of female caregivers and could prevent the development of low back pain with early intervention by providing adequate strategies to alleviate the burden of identified care activities related to low back pain.