Effect of segmental stabilizing exercises augmented by pelvic floor muscles training on women with postpartum pelvic girdle pain: A randomized controlled trial

Transabdominal ultrasonography-guided biofeedback training for pelvic floor muscles integrated with stabilization exercise improved pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and disability: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Investigate effects of integrated training for pelvic floor muscles (PFM) with and without transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) imaging-guided biofeedback in postpartum women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP).

DESIGN

Three-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial SETTING: University laboratory PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three postpartum women with PPGP randomized into stabilization exercise with TAUS-guided biofeedback (BIO+EXE), exercise (EXE), and control (CON) groups.

INTERVENTIONS

The BIO+EXE and EXE groups underwent an 8-week exercise program, with the BIO+EXE group receiving additional TAUS-guided biofeedback for PFM training during the first 4 weeks. The CON group only received a pelvic educational session.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcomes included self-reported pain (numeric rating scale) and disability (pelvic girdle questionnaire). Secondary outcomes included functional tests (active straight leg raising [ASLR] fatigue, timed up-and-go, and 6-meter walking tests) and muscle contractibility indicated by muscle thickness changes for abdominal muscles and bladder base displacement for PFM (ultrasonographic measures).

RESULTS

The BIO+EXE group had lower pain [1.8 (1.5) vs. 4.4 (1.5), mean difference -2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.9 to -1.2] and disability [14% (10) vs. 28% (21), mean difference -14, 95% CI -25 to -2] and faster walking speed [3.1 seconds (1) vs. 3.3 seconds (1), mean difference -0.2, 95% CI -1.0 to -0.2] than the CON group. The EXE group only had lower pain intensity compared to the CON group [2.7 (2.0) vs. 4.4 (1.5), mean difference -1.7, 95% CI -3.1 to -0.4]. No significant differences were observed among groups in timed up-and-go, ASLR fatigue, or muscle contractibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated training for PFM and stabilization with TAUS-guided biofeedback seems to be beneficial for reducing pain and disability in postpartum women with PPGP. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

OPRM1 A118G polymorphism modulating motor pathway for pain adaptability in women with primary dysmenorrhea

Introduction

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a common condition among women of reproductive age, characterized by menstrual pain in the absence of any organic causes. Previous research has established a link between the A118G polymorphism in the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene and pain experience in PDM. Specifically, carriers of the G allele have been found to exhibit maladaptive functional connectivity between the descending pain modulatory system and the motor system in young women with PDM. This study aims to explore the potential relationship between the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism and changes in white matter in young women with PDM.

Methods

The study enrolled 43 individuals with PDM, including 13 AA homozygotes and 30 G allele carriers. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were performed during both the menstrual and peri-ovulatory phases, and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and probabilistic tractography were used to explore variations in white matter microstructure related to the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) was used to access participants' pain experience during the MEN phase.

Results

Two-way ANOVA on TBSS analysis revealed a significant main effect of genotype, with no phase effect or phase-gene interaction detected. Planned contrast analysis showed that during the menstrual phase, G allele carriers had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) and lower radial diffusivity in the corpus callosum and the left corona radiata compared to AA homozygotes. Tractographic analysis indicated the involvement of the left internal capsule, left corticospinal tract, and bilateral medial motor cortex. Additionally, the mean FA of the corpus callosum and the corona radiata was negatively correlated with MPQ scales in AA homozygotes, but this correlation was not observed in G allele carriers. No significant genotype difference was found during the pain-free peri-ovulary phase.

Discussion

OPRM1 A118G polymorphism may influence the connection between structural integrity and dysmenorrheic pain, where the G allele could impede the pain-regulating effects of the A allele. These novel findings shed light on the underlying mechanisms of both adaptive and maladaptive structural neuroplasticity in PDM, depending on the specific OPRM1 polymorphism.

The effect of pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises on low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Low back pain is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), and Kegel exercise is considered as one of the non-surgical management methods. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the results of randomized clinical trials (RCT) about the effect of pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises on reducing low back pain‏.‏ METHODS: The present study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline (2020) to January 2022. The relevant studies were searched in the MagIran, SID, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov databases and Google Scholar motor engine using related MeSH/Emtree terms, which were combined with free text word. The heterogeneity of the studies was checked using I² statistic.

RESULTS

Finally, 19 RCTs with a sample size of 456 subjects in the intervention group and 470 in the control group were included in the meta-analysis. The low back pain intensity in the intervention group decreased up to 1.261 ± 0.213 (SMD ± 95% CI) with I² = 87.60 more than that in the control group (P <0.001). The low back pain intensity in postpartum women decreased up to 1.614 ± 0.312 (95% CI) followed by pregnant women as 1.282 ± 0.479 (SMD ± 95% CI) more than that in other populations. But due to high the heterogeneity in all sub-groups (I² > 80%) this result should be considered with caution. Meta-regression analysis showed the effect of pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises increased by increasing the year of publication, quality assessment score of the article, and the number of weeks of intervention (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the present meta-analysis, pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises significantly reduce the low back pain intensity. Therefore, these exercises can be regarded as a part of a low back pain management plan.

Effectiveness of motor control exercises versus other musculoskeletal therapies in patients with pelvic girdle pain of sacroiliac joint origin: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Pelvic girdle pain represents a group of musculoskeletal pain disorders associated with the sacroiliac joint and/or the surrounding musculoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Its physical management is still a serious challenge as it has been considered the primary cause of low back pain.

OBJECTIVE

This review sought to determine the effectiveness of motor control exercises for two clinically relevant measures; i.e., pain and disability, on patients with pelvic girdle pain of sacroiliac joint origin.

METHODS

This review covered only randomized controlled studies. Online databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, were searched from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2019. PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies, while Review Manager was employed to synthesize data in view of meta-analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were applied for this review.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled trials of moderate-to-high quality were included in this review. The studies involved 1407 patients with a mean age ranging from 25.5 to 42.1 years as well as intervention and follow-up durations from 1 week to 2 years. Motor control exercises alone for pelvic girdle pain of sacroiliac joint origin were not effective in terms of pain reduction (SMD = 0.29 [-0.64,1.22]) compared to control interventions whereas they were slightly effective in terms of disability reduction (SMD =-0.07 [-0.67, 0.53]) at short-term. The combination of motor control exercises with other musculoskeletal therapies, however, revealed to be more effective than control interventions in terms of pain reduction (SMD =-1.78 [-2.49, -1.07]; 95%CI) and lessened disability (SMD =-1.80 [-3.03, -0.56]; 95%CI) at short-term.

CONCLUSION

Motor control exercises alone were not found to be effective in reducing pain at short-term. However, their combination with other musculoskeletal therapies revealed a significant and clinically-relevant decrease in pain and disability at short-term, especially in peripartum period.

Physical Therapy Is an Important Component of Postpartum Care in the Fourth Trimester

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this Perspective paper are to educate physical therapists on their important role in assessing and treating common pregnancy- and delivery-related health conditions and to advocate for their routine inclusion in postpartum care during the fourth trimester. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) are 2 examples of musculoskeletal disorders associated with pregnancy and childbirth that can have negative physical, social, and psychological consequences. This paper reviews evidence from 2010 through 2021 to discuss the efficacy of physical therapist intervention in the fourth trimester for PFD and DRA. The role of physical therapy in the United States is compared with its role in other developed nations, with the intent of illustrating the potential importance of physical therapy in postpartum care. Evidence shows physical therapy is an effective, low-risk, therapeutic approach for PFD and DRA; however, physical therapists in the United States currently have a peripheral role in providing postpartum care. Lack of awareness, social stigma, and policy barriers prevent women from receiving physical therapist care. Recommendations are made regarding ways in which physical therapists can increase their involvement in the fourth trimester within their community, stimulate policy change, and promote improved postpartum care practices.

IMPACT

This Perspective highlights the valuable role of physical therapist assessment and treatment during the postpartum period for some common musculoskeletal conditions associated with pregnancy and delivery.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Stabilizing Exercises for Lumbopelvic Region Impact in Postpartum Women With Low Back and Pelvic Pain

BackgroundCountless women experience lumbopelvic pain (LBPP) after pregnancy. Physical activity is revealed as a beneficial procedure to alleviate LBPP, yet it appears that individual investigations report mixed conclusions about its effectiveness. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of stabilizing exercises on pain intensity, disability, and quality of life (QoL) in postpartum women. Data sources: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and reference lists of included studies up to September, 2021. Study selection: Eleven studies comprising 623 participants were included and analyzed using a random-effects model. Results: Data displayed that stabilizing exercises significantly reduced pain (standard mean difference; SMD: -0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.26 to -0.27, p = .002), and disability (SMD: -1.19, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.68, p < .001). However, our study found no significant change in QoL following stabilizing exercises (MD: 4.42, 95% CI: -5.73, 14.57, p = .39). Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that stabilizing interventions had some benefits in postpartum women. While there is some evidence to display the efficacy of stabilizing exercises for relieving LBPP, additional longer-term and high-quality studies are required to confirm the current findings.

Six Weeks Effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Training in Obese Postpartum Women With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The worldwide prevalence of obesity and low back pain (LBP) has recently dramatically increased and is mainly indicated among postpartum women, leading to a range of adverse health consequences.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization training (DNS) in obese postpartum women with LBP.

METHOD

This was a pretest-posttest study design. The study was conducted with 40 obese postpartum women with LBP randomized to receive DNS (n = 20) or General Exercise (GE, n = 20) 6 times a week for 6 weeks. The data were gathered before and after the 6-week intervention.

RESULTS

Forty participants completed the study (mean ± SD, age 29.30 ± 3.77 years; weight 88.10 ± 6.09 kg; height 165.40 ± 6.31 cm; and BMI, 32.19 ± 1.07 kg/m²). The overall group-by-time interaction was significant for Numeric Pain-Rating Scale, Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Inspiration and Expiration Breath Hold Time, and Respiratory Rate outcomes. The global rating of change was significantly different between groups (p < .05). The rate of improvement was higher in the DNS group compared to the GE group in all 6 tests.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirms that DNS is applicable in obese postpartum women with LBP and effectively improved NPRS, MODQ, FABQ, BHT, and RR. It is clinically suggested that DNS is imperative based on ideal ontogenetic patterns to attain optimal results for obese postpartum women with LBP.

Relationship between urinary incontinence and back or pelvic girdle pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Many observational studies have suggested the existence of a link between urinary incontinence (UI) and lumbopelvic pain. The aim of our study is to evaluate the association between UI and back pain (BP) or pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in the adult population.

METHODS

This systematic review with meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO under the number 2019:CRD42019120047. Literature was sought in the Medline, Embase, and PEDro databases. The search was limited to English, Spanish, and French records, and was conducted from inception until November 2019. Observational studies evaluating the association between UI and BP/PGP were selected by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment was performed using the "Critical Review Form for quantitative studies" (McMaster University).

RESULTS

From the 2,055 retrieved articles, 18 were selected. Both qualitative (n = 18) and quantitative analysis (n = 7) were performed. Fifteen out of 18 studies (83%) found a positive association between UI and BP or PGP for at least one type of incontinence. Pooled estimates were OR 1.61, 1.53, and 1.51 for stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence respectively. A similar degree of association between women and men was found. Subjects with stress and mixed incontinence showed greater likelihoods of mild pain compared with severe pain, although severe pain was more frequently associated with urgency incontinence than mild pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the association between UI and BP/PGP, which seems to be independent of gender-based differences. The strength of this association depends on pain or incontinence subtypes. Clinicians should be aware of the relationship in their clinical practice.