| Methods |
Single blind RCT |
Double blind RCT |
| 6 weeks of treatment (2x/week) |
8 weeks of treatment (12 sessions) |
| 386 ♀ (2nd trim. pregn.) |
115 ♀ (2nd trim. pregn.; VAS for pain > 5) |
| Control Group (CG) |
Information on pelvic anatomy; pelvic belt exercise of abdominal-, back-, gluteal- and shoulder muscles (= standard treatment ST) n = 130 |
ST + non-penetrating sham AP n = 57 |
| Intervention Group (IG) |
ST + AP (n = 125) |
ST + AP |
| ST + stabilizing exercise (n = 131) |
n = 58 |
| Outcome |
Neonatal and maternal adverse events measured by: CTG, birth weight, cord-blood gas, Apgar, gestational age, duration labour, analgesia during labour, use of oxytocin, caesarian |
Pain, sick leave, discomfort of PGP, health-related quality of live, recovery, functional status |
| Results |
No neonatal or maternal adverse events |
No sign. ↓ pain in both groups Sign. |
| Minor adverse effects (headache, drowsiness, rash, pain from needles, unpleasantness, severe nausea, sweating and dizziness) |
↓ number of sick leave in IG Sign. |
| Interventions are sign. ↑ rated as ‘helpful’ |
↑ ability to do daily activities in IG |
| No sign. difference between 1 or 2 |
No sign. differences in quality of life, discomfort of PGP and recovery |
