Association of Biomechanical Changes and Weight Gain Throughout Pregnancy

Low Back Pain, Pregnancy

Low Back Pain, Pregnancy, Biomechanics

Low back and posterior pelvic pain are common in pregnant females. Previous studies have demonstrated disability and it is estimated that all women experience some degree of musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy. Borg-Stein et. al. found 25% of pregnant females have temporarily disabling symptoms. There is demonstrated controversy over the mechanism of low back pain in pregnancy. The biomechanical theory implies that the enlarging uterus causes the maternal center of gravity to move anteriorly causing stress on the low back. Jensen et. al. demonstrated that weight gain correlated with biomechanical changes. The changes were measured by weight gain in segmental regions of the body and in principal moments of inertia from the sit to stand movement. Literature does not demonstrate a specific correlation between weight gain and the biomechanical changes of sway rate, lumbosacral angle and center of gravity. These three measurements may have a correlating effect on the underlying cause of low back pain in pregnant women. This study aims to determine the correlation between weight gain of pregnant females and the biomechanical changes of sway rate, lumbosacral angle and center of gravity. The change in weight over the last two trimesters will be correlated with the sway rate, lumbosacral angle and center of gravity. The degree of symptomatic low back pain as measured by the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale will also be correlated with the sway rate, lumbosacral angle and center of gravity.

The principal investigator will recruit subjects at the yoga studio and one of the investigators and the research assistant will recruit subjects at the NSU clinic. Potential subjects will go through a short verbal pre-screening to ensure they fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects that fit this criteria will read and sign the consent form. The PI and research assistant will answer any questions about the study prior to the subject giving consent. Then the subject's initial weight will be measured on the postural scale and documented. Change in weight is the dependent variable in this study. The following independent variables will be measured: lumbosacral angle, sway rate and shift of weight posteriorly. The lumbosacral angle will be measured by a digital inclinometer. The lumbosacral angle is measured between the plane of the superior surface of S1 to the horizontal plane. Saur et. al., demonstrated that the inclinometer technique for lumbosacral angle has established validity and reliability in comparison to radiographic x-rays. Comparison of radiographic and inclinometer technique is clinically suitable for measuring lumbar position. Keeley et. al. reported high correlation coefficients for interrater reliability with the inclinometer technique on patients with chronic low back pain. The additional measurements of sway rate and center of gravity will be measured by the postural analyzer. The quadruple scale that will be used in this study is based on four digital force plates with computer communication operated by software enabling test analysis. The quadruple scale will provide numeric and graphic data on total weight, weight distribution (kg. or lb.), percentage weight difference, sway rate and an estimate of the location and deviation of the subject's center of mass. All data will be recorded and saved. Following those measurements, the subject will be asked to complete the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale. The Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale is a suitable questionnaire for an English-speaking population and to enquire about areas of functioning specifically relevant to low back pain sufferers, such as lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping and socializing. Fisher et. al. demonstrated that the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale is an acceptable instrument for back pain patients with evidence of criterion-related validity, factorial validity and moderately high internal consistency. It has good face validity for the patients. According to Fisher et. al., the Oswestry Scale can be recommended as a relevant measure of disability with evidence of validity, reliability and sensitivity to change for both clinical and research purposes. The total amount of time needed to complete the measurements and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale should take 15 minutes. Biweekly, willing participants will be recruited and previous participants will be continually measured for weight, lumbosacral angle, sway rate and deviation of the subject's center of mass.

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