Do functional dependence and oral motor function in children with cerebral palsy affect depression and quality of life in their caregivers?

Aim: Depression and quality of life are important issues to focus on in caregivers due to the daily needs (such as nutrition, personal hygiene) and concerns about functional independence levels of the children with cerebral palsy (CP) they care for, the management of motor impairments, and psychological stress they are exposed to. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between oral-motor functions, functional independence, and sleep quality in children with CP and depression and quality of life in caregivers.Methods: Twenty-three children (mean age was 10.9±6.9 years) who were being followed up with a diagnosis of CP and their caregivers whose mean age was 45.9±11.2 (23 individuals) were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. Oral motor functions, functional independence level and sleep quality of children with CP were evaluated using the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale, Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool-10 (PEDI-EAT-10), Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. Caregivers’ depression and quality of life level were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory and EuroQol scale (EQ-5D-3L). Results: A positive, moderate, statistically significant relationship was found between the quality of life level of the caregivers and the functional independence level of the children with CP (r=.515, p=0.024), while there was no other significant relationship between other variables of children with CP and their caregivers. On the other hand, the swallowing function of children was correlated with the sleep quality of caregivers (r=.514, p=0.012).Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that the quality of life in caregivers was related to the functional independence level of children with CP. From this perspective, it was concluded that the necessary assessment, treatment, and clinical follow-up should be carried out carefully in order to improve the quality of life and sleep in caregivers and to increase swallowing and functional independence in children with CP.