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Acupuncture treatment of pregnant women with low back and pelvic pain – an intervention study
Author(s) -
Ekdahl Lena,
Petersson Kerstin
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of caring sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1471-6712
pISSN - 0283-9318
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2009.00704.x
Subject(s) - medicine , acupuncture , physical therapy , mcgill pain questionnaire , visual analogue scale , pelvic pain , pregnancy , intervention (counseling) , population , obstetrics , alternative medicine , nursing , surgery , environmental health , pathology , biology , genetics
Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 175–182
Acupuncture treatment of pregnant women with low back and pelvic pain – an intervention studyObjective: To describe patients’ experience of acupuncture treatment in low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Design: An intervention study carried out between September 2000 and December 2001, involving 40 pregnant women. Participants: The study population consisted of healthy pregnant women presenting with low back and pelvic pain at maternity health care centres within a defined area in southern Sweden. Intervention: Two groups of women received acupuncture treatment from gestational week 20 (group 1) or week 26 (group 2) respectively, for a period of 6 weeks divided into eight sessions of 30 minutes each. Measurements: Pain assessment was carried out using Pain‐O‐Meter and visual analogue scale (POM‐VAS), Short‐Form McGill Questionnaire (SF‐MPQ), Short‐Form‐36: Health Survey Questionnaire (SF‐36), followed by telephone interviews 2–3 months after delivery. Findings: The results of POM‐VAS, SF‐MPQ and SF‐36 showed a relief of pain in both groups. In group 2, an improvement in several SF‐36 variables was noted in spite of increased physical restrictions. Telephone interviews confirmed that expectations of treatment were fulfilled. Using content analysis the main category, limitations in daily life , was identified, with subcategories pain , and psychological well‐being . Conclusion: It may be advantageous to begin acupuncture therapy later in pregnancy to maximise pain relief.