Assessment of motor control of spine in pregnancy-associated lumbopelvic pain

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Created On: 13/09/2022

This study sought to assess if there are significant discrepancies in motor control of spine in pregnant and post-partum females without and with lumbopelvic pain related to pregnancy.

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Key take away

In lumbopelvic pain related to pregnancy, transversus abdominis activation during leg movement appears to be larger.

Background

This study sought to assess if there are significant discrepancies in motor control of spine in pregnant and post-partum females without and with lumbopelvic pain related to pregnancy.

Method

Databases like Web of Science, MEDLINE, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, Embase, and CINAHL were explored. Those observational studies that examined motor control of lumbopelvic spine (regarding kinematics or muscle activation [such as using ultrasound imaging or electromyography]) between females with pregnancy-connected lumbopelvic pain and matched controls were incorporated.

Using modified version of STROBE statement for cross-sectional studies, an assessment of risk of bias was done. No meta-analysis was carried out.

Result

Overall, 15 studies were encompassed. In comparison with matched controls, pregnant females suffering from pregnancy-linked lumbopelvic pain illustrated variations in the lumbar spine kinematic during lifting and walking, although not consistent between the studies.

Greater activation of transversus abdominis muscles during leg movements in post-partum pregnancy-linked pelvic pain were the only consistent findings. In terms of pelvic floor muscle function, there were inconsistent differences.

Conclusion

Multiple differences were detected in motor control in pregnancy-linked lumbopelvic pain population, particularly in dynamic tasks. But, persistent differences in lumbopelvic spine motor control were uncommon.