ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related dysfunctional anxiety and thinking in patients with stroke and caregivers who are family members and their effects on caregiver burden. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 79 stroke patients and their primary caregivers who were hospitalised in a tertiary rehabilitation hospital. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) were used to assess the levels of COVID-19-related dysfunctional anxiety and obsession of the patients and their caregivers. Caregiver burden was assessed via the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). RESULTS: In the patients with stroke, COVID-19-related anxiety and COVID-19-related obsession rates were 13.9% (nâ¯= 11) and 7.6% (nâ¯= 6), respectively, while 17.7% (nâ¯= 14) of caregiver family members had COVID-19-related anxiety and 11.4% (nâ¯= 9) had COVID-19-related obsession. The CAS score of caregivers showed a significant positive correlation with the CAS and OCS scores of patients (pâ¯= 0.000, râ¯= 0.423; pâ¯= 0.007, râ¯= 0.300, respectively). The OCS score of caregivers showed a significant positive correlation with the OCS scores of the patients (pâ¯= 0.000, râ¯= 0.476). The mean ZBI score of caregiver family members was 31.9⯱ 13.5. A significant positive correlation was observed between the caregiver's OCS and CAS scores and ZBI scores (pâ¯= 0.002, râ¯= -0.349; pâ¯= 0.004, râ¯= 0.323, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, a significant relationship between caregiver burden and COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession in the caregivers of stroke patients was identified. Therefore, caregivers of stroke patients should not be forgotten during pandemics and should receive physical and psychological support.