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. 2024 Mar 8;19(3):e0287221.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287221. eCollection 2024.

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain affects balance in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Ivana Hrvatin  1 , Darja Rugelj  1 , Darija Šćepanović  2
Affiliations

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain affects balance in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Ivana Hrvatin et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: During pregnancy, many changes in the musculoskeletal system and pregnancy-related disorders affect posture and postural stability. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common disorder in pregnancy; the cause remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine if PPGP affects static postural stability and its relation to the stage of pregnancy.

Methods: Sixty-three pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 45 and between the 12th and 38th weeks of gestation were included in the study. They were divided into four groups according on the trimester and the presence of PPGP. Static balance was assessed using a force plate on firm and compliant surfaces with eyes open and closed.

Results: Pregnant women with PPGP had significantly (p < 0.05) greater centre-of-pressure velocity and sway area compared to pregnant women without PPGP, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. In the second trimester, only two significant differences in COP parameters were observed between pregnant women with and without PPGP. Pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy had significantly (p < 0.05) greater centre-of-pressure velocity and larger postural sway area compared to pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy, regardless of PPGP.

Discussion and conclusion: Pregnant women with PPGP had poorer static stability when compared to pregnant women without pain, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. The cause could be found in the poorer ability to stabilise the trunk and pelvis, poorer proprioception, and issues with automatic movement patterns.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
The comparison of mean velocity (A), sway area (B), medio-lateral path length (C) and antero-posterior path length (D) for the effect of trimester of pregnancy and for the effect of PPGP. FO–standing on firm surface with eyes open; FC–standing on firm surface with eyes closed; CO–standing on compliant surface with eyes open; CC–standing on compliant surface with eyes closed; 2NP–second trimester, no-pain group (white); 2PPGP–second-trimester pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain group (orange); 3NP–third-trimester no-pain group (blue); 3PPGP–third-trimester pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain group (yellow); * indicates a significant difference between the two groups p<0,05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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