Research Article

Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study

Volume: 43 Number: 1 April 1, 2026
TR EN

Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Stroke and spinal cord injury are major causes of long-term disability and dependence. Caregiving tasks, such as lifting and transferring patients, impose a physical burden, and often result in shoulder pain and reduced shoulder function. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between caregiver burden and shoulder function among caregivers of patients with stroke and spinal cord injury.A total of 124 caregivers who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and shoulder examinations performed by a physiatrist. Sociodemographic characteristics and caregiving-related factors were assessed using a structured questionnaire, followed by the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patient dependency was evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and shoulder range of motion (ROM) was measured with a goniometer. The median age of participants was 56 years (range: 18–83), and 73.4% were female. The median duration of caregiving was 9 months (range: 0.5–300). Lifting and transferring patients were reported as the most challenging caregiving task (41.9%), and 75.8% of caregivers reported shoulder pain. Female caregivers had significantly lower SST scores and higher ZCBS and VAS scores compared with male caregivers (p<0.001; p=0.006; p=0.005, respectively). Similarly, caregivers with shoulder pain demonstrated significantly higher ZCBS and VAS scores (p<0.001 for all comparisons). ROM limitation was observed in 75.8% of caregivers, and 95.7% of these reported shoulder pain (p<0.001). As caregiver burden increases, shoulder function declines. The implementation of structured education programs, safe patient transfer techniques, and therapeutic exercise interventions may help prevent shoulder injuries and reduce caregiver burden.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

This study had local ethical committee approval from the Ondokuz Mayıs University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (OMUKAEK 2024/14). In addition, institutional permission was obtained from Samsun Provincial Directorate of Health (E-26521195-604.01-240306200). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the patients and their caregivers who participated in this study, as well as the staff of Samsun Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital for their support during data collection.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

November 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 1

APA
Ceyhan, Z., Ceyhan, Z., & Terzi, O. (2026). Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 43(1), 31-36. https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA
AMA
1.Ceyhan Z, Ceyhan Z, Terzi O. Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43(1):31-36. https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA
Chicago
Ceyhan, Zafer, Zeliha Ceyhan, and Ozlem Terzi. 2026. “Shoulder Function and Care Burden in Caregivers of Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 (1): 31-36. https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA.
EndNote
Ceyhan Z, Ceyhan Z, Terzi O (April 1, 2026) Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 1 31–36.
IEEE
[1]Z. Ceyhan, Z. Ceyhan, and O. Terzi, “Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study”, J. Exp. Clin. Med., vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 31–36, Apr. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA
ISNAD
Ceyhan, Zafer - Ceyhan, Zeliha - Terzi, Ozlem. “Shoulder Function and Care Burden in Caregivers of Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43/1 (April 1, 2026): 31-36. https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA.
JAMA
1.Ceyhan Z, Ceyhan Z, Terzi O. Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43:31–36.
MLA
Ceyhan, Zafer, et al. “Shoulder Function and Care Burden in Caregivers of Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, vol. 43, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 31-36, https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA.
Vancouver
1.Zafer Ceyhan, Zeliha Ceyhan, Ozlem Terzi. Shoulder function and care burden in caregivers of stroke and spinal cord injury patients: A cross-sectional study. J. Exp. Clin. Med. [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 1;43(1):31-6. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA48SF67DA