Pediatric movement disorders cause caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, and physical strainCaregivers of children with movement disorders face common stress and anxiety

Frontiers in Medicine Published June 5, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

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Key Takeaway

Recognize that caregivers of children with movement disorders commonly experience stress, anxiety, depression, and physical strain; supportive networks may help.

This brief narrative review, based on a search of PubMed and Scopus databases, examines the psychological impact of pediatric movement disorders on caregivers and families. The authors synthesized qualitative findings from existing literature, focusing on caregiver burden, family impact, coping strategies, and systemic support mechanisms.

Key findings indicate that caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, and physical health strain are commonly experienced. The review also identifies supportive factors that may mitigate negative effects, including peer networks, multidisciplinary care, psychological counseling, and community integration. Additionally, sociocultural and religious contexts influence caregiving experiences and coping patterns, particularly in the Gulf region.

The authors acknowledge limitations: the unique burdens of movement disorders remain underexplored, and no prior study has comprehensively examined these psychological impacts on families. They note that psychometric validation is planned in future studies.

Practice relevance: The review underscores the need for tailored, family-centered assessment approaches to address the psychological needs of caregivers and families of children with pediatric movement disorders.

This brief report reviews how pediatric movement disorders affect families. It looks at the psychological impact on caregivers and families of children with these conditions. The authors searched PubMed and Scopus databases for information.

The review found that caregiver stress, anxiety, and depression are commonly experienced. Physical health strain on caregivers is also common. These findings highlight the unique burdens that remain underexplored in this area.

Supportive factors can help mitigate these negative effects. Peer networks, multidisciplinary care, psychological counseling, and community integration were identified as helpful. Sociocultural and religious contexts also influence caregiving experiences and coping patterns, particularly in the Gulf region.

The study notes that no prior research has comprehensively examined these psychological impacts on families. Because this is a narrative review, it does not provide new data. Readers should take away the need for tailored, family-centered assessment approaches. Future studies plan psychometric validation to better understand these issues.

What this means for you:

Caregivers face common stress; peer support and counseling may help mitigate negative effects.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundPediatric movement disorders impose substantial physical, emotional, and psychological stress on affected children and their families. Despite growing recognition of caregiver strain in chronic pediatric conditions, the unique burdens of movement disorders remain underexplored. To our knowledge, no prior study has comprehensively examined these impacts psychologically on families.ObjectiveTo evaluate the psychological impact of pediatric movement disorders on caregivers and families and highlight evidence-based coping strategies and systemic support mechanisms.MethodsA narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases up to January 2026, focusing on studies addressing caregiver burden, family impact, and coping in pediatric movement disorders and similar chronic conditions.ResultsCaregivers commonly experience chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and physical health strain. Supportive factors—such as peer networks, multidisciplinary care, psychological counseling, and community integration—help mitigate these negative effects. Findings also highlight the influence of sociocultural and religious contexts in the Gulf region on caregiving experiences and coping patterns, underscoring the need for tailored, family-centered assessment approaches. A family-centered questionnaire designed to capture movement type–specific challenges and caregiver experiences is currently under development, with formal psychometric validation planned in future studies.

Pediatric movement disorders cause caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, and physical strainCaregivers of children with movement disorders face common stress and anxiety

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Pediatric movement disorders cause caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, and physical strainCaregivers of children with movement disorders face common stress and anxiety

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