Acupuncture treatment of pregnant women with low back and pelvic pain--an intervention study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe patients' experience of acupuncture treatment in low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy.

DESIGN

An intervention study carried out between September 2000 and December 2001, involving 40 pregnant women.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population consisted of healthy pregnant women presenting with low back and pelvic pain at maternity health care centres within a defined area in southern Sweden.

INTERVENTION

Two groups of women received acupuncture treatment from gestational week 20 (group 1) or week 26 (group 2) respectively, for a period of 6 weeks divided into eight sessions of 30 minutes each.

MEASUREMENTS

Pain assessment was carried out using Pain-O-Meter and visual analogue scale (POM-VAS), Short-Form McGill Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Short-Form-36: Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), followed by telephone interviews 2-3 months after delivery.

FINDINGS

The results of POM-VAS, SF-MPQ and SF-36 showed a relief of pain in both groups. In group 2, an improvement in several SF-36 variables was noted in spite of increased physical restrictions. Telephone interviews confirmed that expectations of treatment were fulfilled. Using content analysis the main category, limitations in daily life, was identified, with subcategories pain, and psychological well-being.

CONCLUSION

It may be advantageous to begin acupuncture therapy later in pregnancy to maximise pain relief.