Relation between functional capacity of hemiparetics and emotional overload of caregivers: a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Hemiparesis is the main sequelae of stroke, and the main cause of functional disability in the hemiparetic individual and may cause emotional overload in caregivers. Objectives: To verify the relationship between the functional capacity of hemiparetic individuals and the emotional overload of their caregivers. Methods: Twelve hemiparetic patients (65.2 ± 9.0 years) and 12 caregivers (53.2 ± 16.0 years) were evaluated. For the functional evaluation, the Berg Balance Scale (BSE), the 10-meter walk test (TC10), and the Lower-Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT) were used and the Burden Interview Scale was used to assess the emotional overload. EBI). RESULTS: There were positive and significant correlations between BSE and EBI (r = 0.02, p = 0.95), TC10M and EBI (r = 0.38, p = 0.22), and LEMOCOT with EBI (r = 0.51, p = 0.08). Conclusion: There was a relationship between the functional capacity of hemiparetic individuals and the emotional overload of caregivers.