The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the level of stress and compliance with home exercise programs in caregivers with muscular dystrophy (MD). Caring for a physically disabled child requires an inordinate amount of time and energy. These enormous demands coupled with the demands that exist in daily life contribute to high stress levels. This study intended to show that caregivers experiencing high levels of stress have low compliance with home exercise programs for their children. The importance of this study to the physical therapy profession was to determine the need for therapists to educate parents on the importance of minimizing stress levels and recommend ways to minimize stress. If parents of disabled children can reduce stress levels, compliance with home exercise programs may increase. This may improve the treatment outcome, and benefit the child, as well as the parent.
| Date of Award | Jan 1 1998 |
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| Original language | English |
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