Overview
Primary caregivers of patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease will be included in the study. A total of 43 participants will be recruited. At the beginning of the study, demographic data and clinical characteristics of the patients, including disease stage, history of falls, presence of fractures, presence and severity of pain, comorbidities, and medication use, will be recorded.
Subsequently, caregivers' age, gender, occupation, relationship to the patient, caregiving duration, and their own comorbidities will be assessed. Sleep problems will be evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), while symptoms related to depression and anxiety will be assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Caregiver burden will be examined using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 40-80 years
- Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-5
- Requires assistance in daily activities
- Informal caregiver providing care (unpaid, typically a family member such as a spouse or child)
- Caregiver has sufficient proficiency in Turkish to understand and respond to the study questions
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of any additional neurodegenerative disease other than Parkinson's disease
- Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Advanced heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV (symptoms at rest)
- Active cancer disease
- History of stroke causing limitations in daily life
- Immobility due to reasons other than Parkinson's disease