Use of a maternity support binder for relief of pregnancy-related back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a support binder for low back pain in pregnancy.


METHODS
Pilot study, using a prospective, two-group design with repeated measures.


METHODS
Ambulatory maternity clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital.


METHODS
Women of at least 20 weeks gestation with low back pain, but no preexisting back or disc disease. Thirty women assigned to the intervention group and 10 to a comparison group.


METHODS
Participants completed a pain assessment at pretest. Intervention participants received a maternity support binder to wear while awake for 2 weeks. At an appointment 2 weeks later, a posttest questionnaire and a taped interview were administered. The comparison group participants received the support binder after the second appointment.


METHODS
Back pain intensity, duration, and effect on daily activities were assessed using a pain in pregnancy questionnaire.


RESULTS
The intervention group had significant reduction in mean pain scores and effect of pain on daily activities, including family, house and yard, recreational, exercise, and sleep. Interaction of group by time was significant for change in pain and effect on family, house and yard, and exercise activities.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a support binder for pregnancy-related low back pain is a promising intervention and was well-accepted by the participants.
Carr
Catherine A
CA
Department of Family and Child Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7262, USA. ccarr@u.washington.edu
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001827:Body Height; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000592:standards*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome