Abstract
Introduction: Increased curvature of the lumbar vertebrae during pregnancy leads to back pain and functional disability. This study aimed to assess the effect of posture correction and stretching movements on low back pain in various situations and on functional disability during pregnancy.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 66 pregnant women attending health centers in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were randomly allocated to intervention (n=33) and control (n=33) groups. The intervention group received posture correction and stretching exercises during five sessions conducted between the 16th–18th and 32nd–34th weeks of pregnancy. Data collection tools included the Visual Analog Scale and the Oswestry Low Back Disability Index. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA, Mann–Whitney U, and Wilcoxon tests.
Results: The average (SD) pain score while standing in the intervention group was 3.23 (1.19), compared to 4.58 (1.70) in the control group during weeks 35–37 of pregnancy (P=0.001). For pain experienced while bending, the average scores were 2.20 (1.32) in the intervention group and 3.29 (2.01) in the control group (P=0.03). No significant differences were observed regarding pain during sitting, twisting, or lifting objects. The average functional disability score was 39.20 (10.78) for the intervention group, while it was 42.64 (11.62) for the control group (P=0.01).
Conclusion: Implementing posture correction and stretching exercises can significantly reduce low back pain while standing and bending during pregnancy and improve functional ability.