PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PONSETI METHOD ON THE PARENTS OF PATIENTS WITH CLUB FOOT DEFORMITY

Background: Congenital clubfoot is among the most common musculoskeletal deformities in newborns, typically managed through the Ponseti method—a highly effective, non-surgical technique. However, the prolonged and demanding nature of this treatment places significant psychological stress on parents, which may affect both caregiver well-being and treatment adherence. Objective: To determine the frequency of anxiety and depression among parents of children with congenital clubfoot undergoing Ponseti method treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over six months in the Department of Orthopedics at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 144 parents of children receiving Ponseti treatment were recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess psychological status. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were calculated. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among the 144 participants, anxiety was reported in 77 (53.5%) and depression in 63 (43.8%) caregivers. HADS scores revealed that 26.4% of parents had abnormal anxiety levels and 20.1% had abnormal depression scores. Mothers reported higher psychological burden than fathers. Factors such as urban residence, lower education level, and prolonged bracing were associated with increased psychological distress. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of parents experience clinically significant anxiety and depression during the Ponseti treatment process. Incorporating psychological support and counseling into standard care protocols is essential to enhance caregiver resilience, treatment adherence, and overall outcomes.