Effects of tracheostomy on mothers of children with cerebral palsy

Objective We aimed to investigate psychosocial changes such as burnout, caregiver burden, depression, and coping in mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) after tracheostomy placement. Design A total of 48 children with CP and chronic respiratory insufficiency and their mothers participated in the study. The children with tracheostomy were classified as T (+) (n = 26) and those who did not have tracheostomy were classified as T (−) (n = 22). The patients with tracheostomy through invasive mechanical ventilation were classified as TIV (+). The data about the clinical conditions of the patients and the sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers were recorded. Zarit caregiver burden, Maslach burnout, Beck depression, and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) questionnaires were applied to all mothers. Findings Beck depression score was 14 ± 8.24 in T (+) group and 16.09 ± 9.65 in T (−) group (p = .576). There was no significant difference between the T (+) and T (−) groups in the Maslach burnout inventory, Zarit caregiver burden scale, and their subgroups. The first two methods from the COPE scales were identical. In the T (+) group, the third coping method was found as “planning” and in the T (−) group as “active coping”. Maslach burnout inventory, Zarit 1, and Zarit 2 scores were higher in patients with only tracheostomy compared to those with TIV (p = .002, p = .018, p = .021). Conclusion In the study presented, the placement of tracheostomy in children with CP does not increase mother's depression tendencies and mood changes.