| Abstract | Aims: To investigate the effect of pelvic belt on relieving antenatal symphyseal pain. Study design: A randomized
clinical controlled trial. Place and Duration of study: Department of Obstetrics, Kafelsheikh general hospital - Kafelsheikh,
between June 2014 and September 2014. Methodology: Twenty pregnant women (age range 25-30 years) at 24 weeks gestation
with a good general health were selected randomly, clinically diagnosed with symphyeal pain and divided into 2 equal groups
(A&B). Patients in group A were treated by pelvic belt with tensile force of 50 N. for 4 weeks, patients in group B without any
treatment. Severity of symphyseal pain and diastasis were measured by mean of a 100-mm horizontal visual analogue scale and
ultrasound before and after the treatment program. Results: Patients in group A showed non significant difference in severity of
symphyseal pain and diastasis (P=0.54 & 0.84 respectively). Patients in group B showed highly significant increase in severity of
symphyseal pain and diastasis (P=0.001). There were highly significant difference between both groups (P=0.001) after the
treatment program. The symphyseal pain value was significantly correlated with the decrease in symphyseal diastasis.(Pearson’s
correlation coefficient 0.59, P=0.005). Conclusion: Application of a pelvic belt at the symphysis pubis decrease antenatal
symphyseal diastasis and pain. |