Effect of Concurrent Exercise program on Pregnancy-Related Lumbo-pelvic Pain: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

: Background: Half of pregnant women frequently complain of lumpo-pelvic pain (LPP). It could have a detrimental impact on sleep, work capacity, physical, social, and psychological health that contribute to physical inactivity. The benefits of LPP prevention or remedy for pregnant women through specific exercises should therefore be further investigated. Thus, this trial aimed to evaluate the effect of a concurrent exercise program on pregnancy-related lumbo-pelvic pain. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted at the family health centers affiliated to Mansoura district as well as the antenatal clinics of Mansoura University hospital in El Dakahlia Governorate. A total sample size of 144 pregnant women was selected using a randomized sampling technique. Data collection tools were five: a structured interview schedule for assessing pregnant women's characteristics; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); an Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and an Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Before the exercise program, 70.8% of the pregnant women in study groups reported moderate pain level, while 58.3% of the pregnant women in control groups reported sever pain level. Compared to two-months after the program, this higher pain level improved in the study group to mild pain among 52.8%, but remained the severe pain level among 55.6% of the control group. Conclusion and recommendations: The concurrent exercises reduce the severity of lumbo-pelvic pain and its related symptoms in pregnant women. So, the researchers recommend including concurrent exercises in regular prenatal care as a viable therapeutic option for pregnancy-related LPP.