This study compares three treatments for low back pain that started during pregnancy. The study hypothesizes that exercise, spinal manipulation, and a mind-body technique called neuroemotional technique (NET) equally affect pain intensity and disability associated with pregnancy-related low back pain. The study also hypothesizes that pain intensity and disability levels do not influence maternal heart rate variability (a measure of stress) and intrauterine attachment (a measure of relationship quality). Ten women will additionally provide blood and salivary oxytocin samples during pregnancy and periodically for three months after birth. These women and their babies will also be videotaped playing for 5 minutes at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months postpartum.
Pregnancy-related low back pain is experienced by over half of all pregnant women. In the United States it is thought of as a normal constituent of pregnancy. However, in Europe low back pain associated with pregnancy is treated. In the United States pregnancy-related low back pain is thought to resolve with birth. However about 1/3 of women who experience pregnancy-related low back pain continue to experience back pain for one year postpartum. Those women whose low back pain persists into the postpartum period are more at risk of experiencing comorbidities such as postpartum depression. In the extrauterine life maternal pain limits a mother's ability to securely attach with her child. Furthermore, interpretation of pain intensity is influenced by the type of attachment the individual has with her parents. Little is known how maternal pain may influence intrauterine attachment. Similarly, heart rate variability is influenced by pain and by spinal manipulation in non-pregnant populations. However, normal non-pregnant patterns of heart rate variability are altered during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and little is known about why this happens or what this means.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
64
Study visits follow the normal prenatal care schedule (once monthly until 28 weeks, twice monthly until 36 weeks, weekly thereafter). Additional study visits may be necessary if the pain is too intense and requires additional visits.
Study visits follow the normal prenatal care schedule (once monthly until 28 weeks, twice monthly until 36 weeks, weekly thereafter). Additional study visits may be necessary if the pain is too intense and requires additional visits.
Study visits follow the normal prenatal care schedule (once monthly until 28 weeks, twice monthly until 36 weeks, weekly thereafter). Additional study visits may be necessary if the pain is too intense and requires additional visits.
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, United States
Roland Morris Disability Index
Time frame: Last study visit prior to birth
Pain Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: Last Study Visit Before Birth
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