The Effect of Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Postpartum Lumbopelvic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: The effect of stabilization exercises on pain, disability, and pelvic floor muscle function in postpartum lumbopelvic pain.

Design: This is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: This study was performed at the physiotherapy clinic, Zahedan University of Medical Science, from January to November 2017.

Participants: Thirty-six multiparous women with persistent postpartum lumbopelvic pain were recruited at least 3 mos after delivery.

Interventions: Subjects in the training group (n = 18) received electrotherapy modalities and specific stabilizing exercises. The control group (n = 18) received only electrotherapy modalities.

Main outcome measures: Pain, disability, and bladder base displacement (at rest and pelvic floor muscles contraction) were measured through visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index questionnaires, and transabdominal ultrasound imaging respectively at baseline and after 6 wks of intervention.

Results: Between-groups comparison showed significant improvement in pain, disability, and bladder base displacement in the training group (P < 0.05). In within-group comparison, training group had significant difference for all variables (P < 0.05). In the control group, pain and disability had significant difference (P < 0.05), whereas bladder base displacement had no significant change (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The stabilizing exercises can remarkably improve pain, disability, and pelvic floor muscles function in postpartum lumbopelvic pain (Clinical Trial Registry: NCT03030846).