Factors associated with lumbopelvic dysfunction among pregnant women in the third trimester

Dziesebeinuo Khezhie, Preetha Ramachandra, Deepalaxmi Poojari, Divya Adhia
Purpose:

To investigate the potential risk factors that can influence lumbopelvic dysfunction among pregnant women in their third trimester.

Methods:

Primigravidae between 28-40 weeks’ gestation, aged between 18 to 40 years who could read and understand English or Kannada languages were included for the study. Pregnant women were excluded if they had medical or any obstetric complications .

After recording the demographic data, Foot Posture Index(FPI-6) was used to evaluate the foot posture and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was administered to assess their level of physical activity. Participants were provided with a body chart to mark the areas of pain. The principal investigator examined the low back region of the participant to confirm the pain and tenderness and conducted three simple, safe, specialized tests i.e Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation test (P4), Flexion Abduction External Rotation test (FABERS test) and Straight Leg Raise test (SLR). We considered the participant to have lumbopelvic dysfunction if any one of the tests is positive along with pain provocation on palpation. To determine the level of disability and activity limitation condition specific questionnaire i.e Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire, Oswestry disability questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Chi-square test was used to find the association between the variables. Univariate analyses was used to examine each factor that is linked with lumbopelvic dysfunction and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for analyzing more than one factor involved in the models.






Results:

A total of 253 primigravidae participated in the study. 60.47% (n=153) were tested positive for lumbopelvic dysfunction. Most pregnant women experienced low back pain (56.5%), right sacroiliac joint pain (48.6%), pubic symphysis pain (37.2%), and left sacroiliac joint pain (37.2%) with mild (4.7%) to moderate disability (54.94%). Multivariate analysis showed that pregnant women have a greater risk of developing lumbopelvic dysfunction with an increase in period of gestation, pronated foot posture, and sleep quality



Conclusion(s):

The factors associated with lumbopelvic dysfunction in pregnant women in their third trimester were the period of gestation, pronated foot posture, and sleep quality. Randomized controlled trials to find the effectiveness of structural intervention programs that consider the risk factors to prevent or treat lumbopelvic dysfunction among pregnant women can be conducted in the future.


Implications:

Pregnant women must be screened early to identify the risk factors based on the findings of this study. It is also important to make them aware and educate them about the various risk factors from their early pregnancy to prevent lumbopelvic dysfunction. 

Funding acknowledgements:
The project was not funded
Keywords:
Low back pain
Pregnancy
Risk factors
Primary topic:
Women's health
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Name of the Institution: Manipal College of Health Professions Ethics Committee: Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC:252/2022) of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal
Provide the ethics approval number:
(IEC:252/2022)
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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