Proprioceptive, Fear-related and Inflammatory Factors in the Persistence of Pregnancy-related Lumbopelvic Pain.

Launched by HASSELT UNIVERSITY · Jan 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PLPP), a common issue that affects many pregnant women. The goal is to understand what causes this pain during and after pregnancy, as well as to find ways to prevent and treat it. Researchers will look at different factors, such as how women sense their bodies, any fears related to movement, and levels of inflammation in the body. By comparing women who experience PLPP to those who do not, the study hopes to identify new ways to help manage this pain, which can linger long after childbirth.

To participate, women need to be between 18 and 40 years old, in their first pregnancy with a single baby (confirmed by ultrasound), and not currently experiencing any PLPP. They should also be able to speak Dutch or English. Participants will be asked to provide informed consent and will not have any major medical conditions or recent injuries that could affect their balance or pregnancy. This study is actively recruiting participants, and those who join can expect to contribute to important research that may lead to better care for themselves and other women in the future.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Informed consent to participate
• • 18-40 years old
• • First pregnancy
• • Singleton pregnancy (confirmed through ultrasound)
• • No current PLPP
• • Dutch- or English speaking
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnant for more than 16 weeks
• • Currently experiencing PLPP, or having had PLPP during the index pregnancy
• • History of surgery or major trauma to spine, pelvis or legs
• • Specific vestibular or balance disorders
• • Use of medication that could affect balance (e.g., ototoxic or centrally-acting drugs)
• • Specific spinal conditions or deformities (e.g., structural scoliosis)
• • Rheumatic disease
• • (History of) a neurological disorder (e.g., neuropathy)
• • Problems with vision that are not corrected by glasses, contact lenses or surgical eye correction
• • Hyperemesis gravidarum
• • Recent history of ankle problem (e.g., ankle sprain less than 3 weeks ago)
• • Currently having a condition that may compromise the normal course of the pregnancy (e.g., hypertension, renal disease, coagulation disorder)
• • Use of corticosteroids or NSAIDs
• • (History of) endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, inflammatory, (auto)immune, cardiovascular conditions, or cancer
• • Comorbidities that might influence inflammatory markers (e.g., acute illness, infection (e.g. CMV, HPV, urinary tract infection...), hypothyroidism, endometriosis)
• • (History of) psychiatric disorder