PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE DANISH VERSION OF THE CAREGIVER BURDEN SCALE: INVESTIGATING PREDICTORS AND SEVERITY OF BURDEN AFTER STROKE, SPINAL CORD INJURY, OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2024 · DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v56.34732 · Published: May 2, 2024

Simple Explanation

Acquiring an injury to the brain or spinal cord affects the person with the injury, but also the closest family. Very often close family members become informal caregivers providing daily care, which poses a significant burden. Caregiver burden among caregivers to persons with stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury were investigated, including the strengths and weaknesses of the Caregiver Burden Scale. The Danish version of the Caregiver Burden Scale was found to be valid. Longer time as a caregiver was associated with higher burden, and most caregivers reported a low level of burden.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

122 caregivers of persons with stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
The total burden score exhibited good internal consistency (α = 0.93), with no floor or ceiling effects.
2
Longer time as a caregiver was a significant predictor of higher total score.
3
The majority (52.2%) reported a low level of caregiver burden (below cut-off of 2.00).

Research Summary

The Danish version of the CBS revealed that the total burden score, and the 3 scales General Strain, Disappointment, and Emotional Involvement, had adequate internal consistency and no floor or ceiling effects among caregivers to people with stroke, TBI, and SCI. In the total sample, most caregivers scored a low burden; however, a fairly large proportion scored as indicating a medium burden. Significantly lower burden was seen in caregivers of persons with SCI. Longer time in caregiver role and being a spouse or partner of the care recipient was associated with higher burden.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

The Caregiver Burden Scale is a valid measure to assess burden in caregivers of stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury patients.

Targeted Interventions

Rehabilitation professionals should consider the duration of caregiving and the relationship of the caregiver (spouse/partner) when planning interventions.

Further Research

Future research should investigate differences in burden reported by caregivers in different diagnostic groups and associations between perceived burden and patient deficits.

Study Limitations

1
Several psychometric properties, e.g., construct validity or factorial validity, were not evaluated.
2
The limited sample size in each of the injury groups might lead to less accurate results and affects the generalisability of the results.
3
The time span when the sample was collected could bias the results due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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