Effects of Pelvic Belt and Kinesio Tape on Pain and Functional Mobility in Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain

Gebeliğe Bağlı Pelvik Kuşak Ağrısında Pelvik Kemer ve Kinezyo Bant Uygulamalarının Ağrı ve Fonksiyonel Mobilite Üzerine Etkileri

This study investigates the effects of pelvic belt (PB) and kinesio taping (KT) applications on pain and functional mobility in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP), in comparison with the control group that received only pain neuroscience education and ergonomic training.

Although there is strong evidence in the literature that pelvic support belts reduce pain in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, no study investigating its effect on functional mobility with performance-based measurement methods or investigating its effectiveness on kinesiophobia has been found. Studies investigating the efficacy of KT in pregnant women with PGP are few and many are methodologically weak studies, most of which do not contain randomization and control groups. Also, no study has been found in the literature, which compares the effectiveness of PB and KT in pregnant women with PGP. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to examine the effects of PB and KT on pain and functional mobility in pregnant women with PGP in comparison with the control group, which is only given pain neuroscience education and ergonomic training. The secondary aims are to investigate the effects of these applications on kinesiophobia, activity limitation and sleep quality; and to compare the groups in regard to patient compliance and treatment satisfaction levels of the groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being able to read and write in Turkish
• being in 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy
• having PGP for more than one week
• signing the informed consent form for the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• visual, auditory or cognitive problems which may prevent participation to the study
• health problems other than pregnancy-related PGP (orthopedic, neurologic, cardiorespiratory, etc.) or trauma history, which may affect standing from sitting, walking or stair climbing activities
• any gynecological or urological problems which may mimic pregnancy related PGP
• any diagnosed pregnancy complications other than PGP (preeclampsy, hypertension, diabetes,placental/fetal anomaly, preterm labor, etc.)
• high risk pregnancy (multiple gestation, etc.)
• history of spinal injury, ankylosing spondilitis, rheumatoid arthritis, intervertebral disc pathology)
• A positive straight leg raise test result, as well as sensory or motor deficits indicating intervertebral disc pathology
• history of prepregnancy low back or pelvic girdle pain
• using any analgesic or myorelaxant medication
• contraindications to KT or PB (impaired skin integrity or lesion in the lumbopelvic and abdominal regions, history of allergic reaction, etc.)
• previous KT (abdominal or lumbosacral) or PB experience