Effects of physical therapy on postpartum low back pain patients in the puerperium

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the difference in clinical outcomes of physical therapy for postpartum low back patients between puerperium and non-puerperium onset.

Subjects and Methods: A total of 18 postpartum low back pain patients participated in this study: 11 and 7 patients developed low back pain during the puerperium (< 2 months postpartum) and non-puerperium (≥ 2 months postpartum) periods, respectively. All patients underwent physical therapy for exercise and lifestyle guidance. Clinical outcomes were compared between the puerperium and non-puerperium onset groups at 0, 1, and 3 months after the start of physical therapy using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for low back pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Effect sizes were compared for the clinical outcomes with significant improvement.

Results: The VAS for low back pain and the ODI improved significantly from 1 to 3 months compared to the first assessment in both groups. Of the ODI sections, pain intensity, personal care, lifting, standing, and traveling sections improved significantly over 1 month, whereas all the sections except sex life improved significantly over 3 months in both groups. However, no significant differences were observed in clinical outcomes between the two groups. The highest effect size (>0.8) was for the pain intensity and standing sections in the puerperium onset group and, the pain intensity, personal care, and sitting sections in the non-puerperium onset group over 3 months.

Conclusion: Physical therapy improved clinical outcomes of puerperium onset, as well as during non-puerperium onset, cases in postpartum low back pain patients.