A review on Japanese articles related to the care burden of caregivers of patients with higher brain dysfunction caused by traumatic brain injury

Joint Event on 49^th International Congress on Nursing Care Plan & Health & 50^th World Congress on Men in Nursing

July 16-18, 2018 | Rome, Italy

Masae Seo and Megumi Ikeda

Juntendo University, Japan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Background: In recent years, the number of people with higher brain dysfunction due to traumatic brain injury has increased mainly in the elderly in Japan and is expected to further increase in the future. Aim: This study aimed to identify the care burden of caregivers of patients with higher brain dysfunction caused by traumatic brain injury. Methods: Using a combination of the key words, �??brain injury�?�, �??higher brain dysfunction�?�, �??care�?�, �??care burden�?�, and �??feelings of burden in care�?�, we extracted articles published between 1970 and 2017 in Ichushi-Web by excluding conference proceedings. Articles describing patients with higher brain dysfunction due to causes other than traumatic brain injury as well as those including patients aged under 18 years suffering from higher brain dysfunction due to traumatic brain injury were also excluded. Results: Five articles were analyzed. Most caregivers were family members of patients. Compared with mothers of patients, wives reported a higher level of burden in the care of their husband. Caregiving burden was classified into three types. Caregivers had experienced physical burden of providing daily assistance because the patient�??s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were affected by impaired attention and executive function disorders. They had also experienced psychological burden because the patients were incapable of controlling their emotions, so they were unable to communicate with others. Social burden was also identified, as they had financial problems and were living isolated from the community. Discussion: The extracted articles were published between 2002 and 2004. Compared with the past, caregiving situations and support services for patients with higher brain dysfunctions, including administrative services, have changed. Thus, it is necessary to investigate current burdens in caregiving situations and establish a method of caring for people with multiple disabilities, mainly those with social behavior disorders and impaired attention that create the burden among caregivers.

Biography :

Masae Seo is an Assistant Professor of Juntendo University, Faculty of Health Care and Nursing and is also a Certified Nurse Specialist in Chronic Care Nursing. She has clinical experience mainly in Emergency Care and Rehabilitation Nursing of more than 10 years. Her main study theme is, support for patients with higher brain dysfunction and their caregivers, and support for stroke patients and rehabilitation nursing.

E-mail: masaseo@juntendo.ac.jp