Treatment Modalities for Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnant Women

• Abstract Background: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) affects 30 percent of pregnant women. It severely affects pregnant women’s daily lives and causes high costs for society. Methods: Two randomized controlled trials (RCT) compared the efficacies of (1) standard treatment (S) plus acupuncture (ACU), S þ stabilizing exercises (SE), and S alone (nZ386) and (2) penetrating acupuncture (PACU) and non-penetrating sham acupuncture (NPACU) as an adjunct to S in pregnant women (nZ115) with well-defined PGP. Results: ACU, as well as SE, constituted efficient complements to S for PGP during pregnancy. ACU had no observable severe adverse influences on the pregnancy, the mother, the delivery or the fetus/neonate. Regression of PGP after delivery was excellent. Both PACU and NPACU led to clinically relevant decreases in pain. Compared to the NPACU group, the PACU group had superior ability in 7 of 13 daily activities. Conclusion: ACU and SE as adjuncts to standard treatment are effective for treating PGP during pregnancy. Acupuncture is not accompanied by any severe adverse influences on the pregnant women or the fetus/neonate. Regression of PGP occurs in the great majority of women after delivery. PACU had no additional effect on PGP reduction compared to NPACU, but it improved the ability to perform daily activities, keeping more women in regular work. Keywords: pelvic girdle pain; acupuncture; stabilizing exercises; adverse events; regression

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

pelvic girdle pain; acupuncture; stabilizing exercises; adverse events; regression

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