Impact of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) On Quality of Life (QOL) of Parents with Physically Handicapped Children

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Parents of physically disabled children are susceptible to chronic low back pain (CLBP) due to sustained physical demands and psychosocial stress associated with caregiving. However, data on the prevalence of CLBP and its impact on quality of life (QOL) among parental caregivers in Malaysia remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of   CLBP among parents of physically disabled children and to examine its relationship with children’s functional level and parental QOL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 94 parents of physically disabled children aged 2-14 years in Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor. Participants were primary caregivers aged 18 years and above who lived with the child and reported low back pain (LBP) lasting more than three months. Data collected included demographic characteristics, children’s functional level, pain-related disability, and QOL. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to examine prevalence and associations. RESULT: CLBP was reported by 70% of parents (n=66). No significant association was found between children’s functional level and the prevalence of CLBP (χ²=3.47, p=0.48). Pain-related disability showed significant negative correlations with QOL domains, including role limitations due to physical health (p=0.002), fatigue (p=0.001), pain (p=0.002), general health (p=0.001), and perceived health change (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal a high prevalent of CLBP among parents of physically disabled children and are associated with substantial impairments in QOL.