Effectiveness of Handling Training Program on the Quality of Life of Institutional Caregivers

Children with cerebral palsy require a constant care because of their long-term complications. Thus, taking care of them can affect physical and mental health of their caregivers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of handling training program on caregivers’ quality of life working in care centers for children with cerebral palsy. In the current semi-experimental interventional study, 60 caregivers were selected supervised by Welfare Organization of Tehran according to the related inclusion criteria and divided into intervention (30 participants) and control (30 participants) groups. Demographic questionnaire and SF-36 were used for data collection three months prior to and after presenting handling training program. The training session were conducted theoretically and practically in two days and each day with 15 caregivers. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS, version 22. The mean age and standard deviation of caregivers in intervention and control group were (43/57±10/84) and (42/50±9/22), respectively. The comparison of the mean scores between the two groups showed that the quality of life of the caregiver in the intervention group significantly increased three months after receiving handling training in all dimensions of SF-36 except for social function (p <0.05). Providing the caregivers with proper handling training program can decrease their job and physical stress and improve both their and the children’ quality of life, well-being, and health.