Abstract

MARQUES, Milena Gonçalves et al. Quality of life of the children caregivers with neurological dysfunction. Cad. Pós-Grad. Distúrb. Desenvolv. [online]. 2016, vol.16, n.2, pp. 16-23. ISSN 1519-0307.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1809-4139.20160003.

INTRODUCTION:The caregiver is a key element for the successful recovery of children with neurological dysfunctions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the quality of life of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and myelomeningocele. METHODS: This was a clinical study, carried out at the House of the Paralytic Child of Campinas. We included caregivers who signed the Informed Consent Term, who had under their responsibility children diagnosed with cerebral palsy or myelomeningocele, who underwent physiotherapy at the institution. The sample consisted of 33 caregivers, 18 caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and 15 caregivers of children with myelomeningocele. To evaluate the quality of life, the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref) was used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In general, the perception of caregivers was positive regarding the quality of life. The comparison between the groups showed that caregivers of children with cerebral palsy had lower levels of quality of life in relation to caregivers of children with myelomeningocele. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that the cognitive impairment, associated to the motor disorder, characteristic of children with cerebral palsy, demands greater assistance from caregivers, and interferes in a less positive way in the quality of life.

Keywords : Caregivers; Pediatrics; Quality of life; Child; Neurologic Manifestations.

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