Effects of craniosacral therapy as adjunct to standard treatment for pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women: A multicentre, single blind, randomised controlled trial

• Objective. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a disabling condition affecting 30% of pregnant women. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of craniosacral therapy as an adjunct to standard treatment compared to standard treatment alone for PGP during pregnancy. Design. Randomised, multicentre, single blind, controlled trial. Setting. University hospital, a private clinic and 26 maternity care centres in Gothenburg, Sweden. Population. 123 pregnant women with PGP. Methods. Participants were randomly assigned to standard treatment (control group, n=60) or standard treatment plus craniosacral therapy (intervention group, n=63). Main Outcome Measures. Primary outcome measures: Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale 0-100mm) and sick leave. Secondary outcomes: function (Oswestery Disability Index), health-related quality of life (Euro-Qol), unpleasantness of pain (VAS), and assessment of the severity of PGP by an independent examiner. Results. Between-group differences for morning pain, symptom-free women and function in the last treatment week were in favor of the intervention group. VAS median was 27 mm (95%CI 24.6-35.9) vs. 35 mm (95%CI 33.5-45.7)(p=0.017) and the function disability index was 40 (range 34-46) vs. 48 (range 40-56)(p=0.016). Conclusions. Lower morning pain intensity and lesser deteriorated function was seen after craniosacral therapy in conjunction with standard treatment compared to standard treatment alone, but no effects regarding evening pain and sick-leave. Treatment effects were small and clinically questionable and conclusions should be drawn carefully. Further studies are warranted before reccomending craniosacral therapy for pelvic girdle pain.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

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

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Complementary medicine

alternative medicine

craniosacral therapy

pregnancy

pelvic girdle pain

randomised controlled trial

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ref (ämneskategori)

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