Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
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To assess the effect of a structured, antenatal exercise program on low back pain during pregnancy, in primi and second gravidae.
Twenty-six low risk pregnancies with no previous or present history of back pain were identified at 20 weeks gestation and were randomly assigned into experimental and control group for 20 weeks. The experimental group received specific exercises and ergonomics. The control group received only ergonomic advice. Intensity of backpain was assessed at eight intervals during the course of pregnancy with Visual Analog Scale. Mann-Whitey test was used to assess the differences between both the groups.
The specific exercise group, after intervention showed statistically and clinically significant lower pain intensity when compared to the group that received only ergonomic advice.
A structured antenatal exercise program begun early during pregnancy, and before the onset of backpain, can significantly reduce the intensity of pain experienced during the course of pregnancy and postpartum.
Antenatal, physiotherapy, exercise, pregnancy, backpain
