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Perceived Embarrassment, Burden in ET Caregivers
J Neurol Sci; 2017 Dec; Kellner, Morgan, et al
Perception of essential tremor (ET) participant embarrassment can be burdensome for caregivers, according to a recent study, and previous studies in populations with outwardly visible disability have shown that perception by caregivers of a care-recipient's social distress can contribute to caregiver burden. To that end, clinicians may wish to address patient embarrassment and perceived embarrassment to better support caregivers and ET patients. Data were collected from 57 ET participants and their caregivers. Researchers measured ET participant embarrassment using the Essential Tremor Embarrassment Assessment (ETEA), and measured perception by caregivers of ET participant embarrassment using a modified version of the ETEA. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to measure caregiver burden. They found:
- Perceived embarrassment was associated with ET participant embarrassment.
- In linear regression models, perceived embarrassment was a stronger predictor for caregiver burden than measures of ET participant cognitive and physical impairment.
Kellner S, Morgan S, Gutierrez J, et al. Perceived embarrassment and caregiver burden in essential tremor caregivers. J Neurol Sci. 2017;38:205-210. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2017.11.020.