The effects of breathing exercises in mothers of children with special health care needs: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVE: Caring for a child with a disability affects musculoskeletal system pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and anxiety of the mothers. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of breathing exercises in mothers with chronic non-specific low back pain (NLBP).

METHODS: Forty-three mothers with chronic NLBP were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 23) and the control group (n = 20). The experimental group received breathing exercises with core stabilization exercises (BSET) for three sessions a week for 8 weeks, and the control group performed stabilization exercises (SET) only, for the same period. Pain severity, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep quality were evaluated before and after the treatment programs.

RESULTS: After the treatment programs, significant differences were observed in pain, fatigue, and sleep quality in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the BSET group showed a significantly better improvement in anxiety levels and sleep quality than the SET group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The improvements in pain, fatigue and sleep quality were seen in both groups after treatment programs. It is recommended breathing exercises are added to core stabilization programs to provide greater improvements in anxiety level and sleep quality for mothers of children with disabilities, who have NLBP.