Efficacy of a Physical Training Program on Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain

Objectives: A large number of women suffer from lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy. This pain continues in considerable percentage of women after pregnancy and causes considerable distress and disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a physical training program on lumbopelvic pain and its physical disability during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of a physical training program in women with lumbopelvic pain in 2010-2011. A total of 180 pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 90) and control groups (n = 90). The physical training program consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises and body posture modifications. This 12-week program was administered to the intervention group only and the control group received the routine prenatal care. The main outcome for measurement were pain and physical disability that was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks post treatment by visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in pain intensity and physical disability between groups before intervention (P > 0.05), however pain and physical disability decreased significantly in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that a designed physical program and body postures modification may reduce the severity of lumbopelvic pain and its related disability in pregnant women. It is recommended that midwives emphasize the importance of back pain and pelvic pain in prenatal counseling sessions and provide solutions for pain relief, including physical exercise and posture modification.