Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2024, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 719-725.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2024.06.012

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Effect of sling massage exercise on postpartum pelvic girdle pain

WANG Xueyan1, ZHANG Pengyan2, LIAO Xuandong1, DING Yi2, XU Qiangqiang2, LI Li2()   

  1. 1. College of Rehabilitation, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong 250355, China
    2. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong 250000, China
  • Received:2023-11-22 Revised:2024-05-13 Published:2024-06-25 Online:2024-07-03
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Key Research and Development Plan(2017GSF19114);Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Project(2021M006);Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Project(Q-2023067)

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of the sling massage exercise on postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PPGP).

Methods From March, 2022 to May, 2023, 56 patients with PPGP in Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomly divided into control group (n = 28) and observation group (n = 28). Both groups received routine physical therapy and healthy education, while the control group received exercise therapy and the observation group received sling massage exercise, for six weeks. They were assessed with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) and active straight leg raise (ASLR) test before and after treatment, and measured resting and contraction thickness of transversus abdominis with ultrasound; and integrated electromyography (iEMG), root mean square (RMS), median frequency (MF) and mean power frequency (MPF) of pelvic floor muscles with surface electromyography.

Results After treatment, the total effective rate was 96.43% in the observation group and 78.57% in the control group (Z = 2.728, P < 0.05). All the indexes improved in both groups (|t| > 2.080, P < 0.05) except resting thickness of transverse abdominis muscle, and improved more in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 2.161, P < 0.05).

Conclusion The sling massage exercise can alleviate pain, enhance the stability of the core muscle group, and improve load transfer and quality of life, better than exercise therapy.

Key words: postpartum pelvic girdle pain, sling massage exercise, core muscle strength, pain

CLC Number: