Investigation of caregiver burden, quality of life, and occupational performance of primary caregivers of individuals having experienced a stroke with and without aphasia.

Background: Individuals having experienced a stroke need the help of an individual to perform their activities of daily living. Therefore, the disease affects not only patients but also their caregivers.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how aphasia affects caregivers' burden of care, quality of life, and occupational performance.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved Group 1, (n=51) the caregivers of individuals having experienced a stroke with aphasia, and Group 2 (n = 51), the caregivers of individuals having experienced a stroke without aphasia. The caregivers were evaluated using the sociodemographic information form, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, the SF-36 Short Form, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure tests.

Results: Our study found that the caregiver burden in Group 1 was higher than in Group 2 (t = 3.8, p = 0.01). Caregivers in Group 1 also had higher pain levels (t = -2.21, p = 0.029) and lower social functions than those in Group 2 (t = -2.54, p = 0.013). There was no statistically significant difference between the other sub-parameters of quality of life (p > 0.05). It was observed that the occupational performance (t = -3.31, p = 0.001) and satisfaction levels (t = -3.57, p = 0.001) of the caregivers in Group 1 were lower than those of the caregivers in Group 2.

Conclusions: Occupational therapy evaluation and intervention programs for caregivers should consider the occupational performance of caregivers of individuals with aphasia and include approaches to problem areas.