Effects of isometric exercise on the alleviation of lumbar and pelvic pain in pregnant women resident in Isfahan, Iran

Introduction: According to the studies from 1999 to 2008, 50% of pregnant women suffer from low back pain. Physiological variations that occur during pregnancy cause postural changes which in turn can result in low back pain. In spite of these facts, the exact cause f pregnancy-associated low back pain has not known yet. It cannot be solely accounted for by hormonal factors. So far, study results have been inconclusive on documenting the efficacy of isometric exercises in alleviating low back pain. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of isometric exercise in low back and pelvic pain reduction among pregnant women of Isfahan city. Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trials study, 58 women (age range, 20-35 yrs) who were pregnant for 3 to 7 months were evaluated. All participants attended our Obstetric and Gynecologic Clinic complaining low back and pelvic pain. They were randomly assigned into the treatment (n=29) and the control (n = 29) groups. Subjects in the former group received therapeutic exercises while those in the latter group had no intervention program. All of the penitents completed the first questionnaire (number 1) designed to obtain information about low back pain and ability to do daily activities at the initiation of the study. One month later, all of them completed the second questionnaire (number 2). All data of interest were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 14. Results: We found that there was a significant difference between treatment and control groups regarding all daily activities (P < 0/05). Also, there was a significant decrease in pelvic and low back pain in treatment group as compared before and after program. However, no significant difference was observed in control group in this regard (P > 0/05). Conclusion: Isometric Exercises can decrease the low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and increase the pregnant women’s quality of life. Keywords: Pregnancy, Low back pain, Pelvic pain, Isometric exercise