Individually tailored physiotherapy interventions for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: functioning, physical
Annika Svahn Ekdahl1, Monika Fagevik Olsén2,3, Annelie Gutke2,4
1Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 455, Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Sweden. annika.svahn-ekdahl@neuro.gu.se.
Background:
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) affects more than 50% of pregnant women, and for some it may lead to persistent postpartum pain. The factors affecting the prevalence of PPGP postpartum are unclear. Recommended interventions for PPGP include exercise, pelvic belts, acupuncture, and promotion of physical activity. However, individually tailored interventions based on treatment guidelines are necessary given the multifaceted nature of PPGP, but this has not been evaluated in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to describe levels of functioning, physical activity, pain, and treatment satisfaction at four months postpartum in women who received individually tailored physiotherapy based on treatment guidelines for PPGP and to investigate relationships between factors that could impact disability resulting from PPGP postpartum.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional study based on questionnaires answered four months postpartum by 164 women who received physiotherapy for PPGP during pregnancy. Treatment satisfaction, and functioning measured by the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), were the primary outcomes, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate factors with a possible impact on the PGQ score.
Results:
Of the total respondents (n = 164), 125 women reported (76%) reported PPGP four months postpartum, of whom 40% (n = 50) experienced moderate-to-severe disability according to the PGQ. Most women were satisfied with the physiotherapy treatment, regardless of their level of disability. Concern about pain was the only variable associated with the PGQ score. Despite limitations in functioning among women who reported pain, one third reached the recommended levels of physical activity.
Conclusion:
Although 76% of women experienced persistent PPGP four months postpartum, individually tailored physiotherapy for PPGP during pregnancy was perceived as an intervention with positive impact. Concern about pain appears to be associated with postpartum functioning, but the study design precludes causal conclusions.
Trial Registration:
FoU in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden No. 220,091, https://www.researchweb.org/is/vgr/project/220091 .
