Journal CME, January 2022: The impact of a sacroiliac joint belt on function and pain using the active straight leg raise in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain-The impact of a sacroiliac joint belt

The impact of a sacroiliac joint belt - article.pdf

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This study investigated the effectiveness of a sacroiliac joint (SIJ) belt in reducing pain and improving function in pregnant women experiencing pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP). PGP is prevalent during pregnancy, with a multimodal therapeutic approach often employed, including the use of SIJ belts. However, no predictive measures currently exist to help determine which pregnant women will benefit most from the belt.<br /><br />The research employed a prospective observational cohort study design involving 63 pregnant women in their second or third trimester suffering from posterior PGP. Participants were assessed using the Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) test and were instructed to use an SIJ belt daily for four weeks. The primary outcomes measured were ASLR scores and pain levels using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). <br /><br />Key findings include:<br />1. **Immediate Improvement**: ASLR scores improved immediately upon application of the SIJ belt.<br />2. **Four-Week Follow-up**: There was significant improvement in ASLR scores both with and without the belt after four weeks. Pain levels, as measured by the NRS, declined significantly, with 82% of participants reporting improvement via the Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGII) scale.<br />3. **Belt's Efficacy**: It was concluded that the SIJ belt is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated option for managing PGP during pregnancy. It offers immediate functional improvement and contributes to significant pain reduction and enhanced functional outcomes over time.<br />4. **Predictive Value**: Although the ASLR test scores improved immediately with belt application, they did not predict pain scores four weeks later.<br /><br />Thus, the study recommends the use of SIJ belts as a beneficial therapeutic intervention for pregnant women experiencing PGP while noting the importance of further well-designed randomized controlled trials to explore the full potential and mechanisms behind SIJ belt therapy within multimodal treatment frameworks.

Keywords

sacroiliac joint belt

pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain

PGP

ASLR test

pain reduction

functional improvement

prospective observational cohort

NRS

PGQ

predictive measures