Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstetrics

This study was conducted to determine effect of acupuncture therapy versus stabilizing exercise on pelvic girdle pain4 (PGP) during pregnancy. Thirty pregnant women aged 25-35 years were randomly distributed into 3 groups: Group A (standard treatment group) received standard treatment in the form of home instructions, massage, wearing a pelvic belt for 6 week; Group B (acupuncture group) received standard treatment and acupuncture therapy sessions, 2 times /week for 6 weeks, and Group C (Exercise group), received standard treatment and modified stabilizing exercise program, 2 sessions/week for 6 weeks. Modified schober test, visual analogue scale (VAS), Quebec back pain disability scale (QBDS), blood samples to determine plasma cortisol level were used for assessment of all patients before and after the end of the treatment course. Results revealed that standard treatment group showed a statistically significant decrease in functional disability (p=0.03) and a non-statistically change in plasma cortisol level (p=0.42) and spinal range of motion (p=0.019). Acupuncture group showed a significant decrease in plasma cortisol level (p=0.002), spinal range of motion (p=0.02), pain intensity level (p=0.005) and functional disability (p=0.009), while exercise group showed a highly significant decrease in plasma cortisol level (p=0.001) and spinal range of motion (p=0.0001) and a significant decrease in pain intensity level (p=0.005) and functional disability (p=0.002). Also, Exercise group showed a significant decrease in pain intensity level (p=0.004) and functional disability (p=0.002) when compared with acupuncture group

Issued also as CD