Evaluation of the efficiency of relaxation and stabilization exercises in the minimization of the low back pain in pregnant women

Dariusz Boguszewski
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Daria Sałata
Jakub Grzegorz Adamczyk
Dariusz Białoszewski
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Zakład Rehabilitacji Oddziału Fizjoterapii II Wydziału Lekarskiego, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
Sekcja Nauk KF, SKN Fizjoterapii przy Zakładzie Rehabilitacji. Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
Zakład Rehabilitacji Oddziału Fizjoterapii II Wydziału Lekarskiego, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
Zakład Rehabilitacji Oddziału Fizjoterapii II Wydziału Lekarskiego, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska

Abstract

The aim of the work: The aim of the research was the evaluation of the influence of relaxation and stabilization exercises on low back pain at women in the advanced pregnancy.

Material and methods: There were 54 pregnant women (averagely in 28.9 week of the pregnancy) who partook in the research. The average age was 29.2 years. The studied persons were divided into two groups. The women from the Group 1 (n=25) performed series of loosening and stabilizing exercises (after previous instruction at childbirth classes). The persons from the Group 2 (n=29) did not change the previously existing lifestyle. The condition of classifying to the research was the occurrence of pain complaints about L-S spinal section. The investigative tools were: Visual Analog Scale of Pain (VAS), the Questionnaire by Roland-Morris, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory by Spielberger and the author’s questionnaire containing questions concerning of chosen elements of style and quality of life. 

Results: In the Group 1 after fourteen days the intensity of the pain dropped significantly (p = 0.021). There were not observed however the significant difference in the level of pain after one session of exercises (between the measurement 1 and 2). In the control group the intensification of the pain remained on the similar level, differences between measurements were not statistically essential. Regular exercises at home influenced also the reduction of functional limitations at the examined women (p = 0.044) (measured with the Rolland-Morris’ scale). Women from the Group 2 reported considerable increase of the feeling of being handicapped (p = 0.014).

Conclusions: Individual relaxation and stabilization exercises bear on the reduction of pain of the lower back at pregnant women. Therefore, it is legitimate to use various forms of the kinesiotherapy as prophylaxis and treatment of this type of complaints. As the result of the exercises, the degree of functional limitation of the examined women was diminished. It proves the positive influence of individual exercises at home on physical fitness.

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