Regression of pelvic girdle pain after delivery: follow-up of a randomised single blind controlled trial with different treatment modalities.

OBJECTIVE

An earlier publication showed that acupuncture and stabilising exercises as an adjunct to standard treatment was effective for pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, but the post-pregnancy effects of these treatment modalities are unknown. The aim of this follow-up study was to describe regression of pelvic girdle pain after delivery in these women.

DESIGN

A randomised, single blind, controlled trial.

SETTING

East Hospital and 27 maternity care centres in Göteborg, Sweden.

POPULATION

Some 386 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain.

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to standard treatment plus acupuncture (n=125), standard treatment plus specific stabilising exercises (n=131) or to standard treatment alone (n=130).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale).

SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURE

assessment of the severity of pelvic girdle pain by an independent examiner 12 weeks after delivery.

RESULTS

Approximately three-quarters of all the women were free of pain 3 weeks after delivery. There were no differences in recovery between the 3 treatment groups. According to the detailed physical examination, pelvic girdle pain had resolved in 99% of the women 12 weeks after delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that irrespective of treatment modality, regression of pelvic girdle pain occurs in the great majority of women within 12 weeks after delivery.