Water aerobics reduces sick leave due to low back pain during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of a land-based, physical exercise program versus water aerobics on low back or pelvic pain and sick leave during pregnancy.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Three antenatal care centers.


METHODS
390 healthy pregnant women.


METHODS
A land-based physical exercise program or water aerobic once a week during pregnancy.


METHODS
Sick leave, pregnancy-related low back pain or pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, or both.


RESULTS
Water aerobics diminished pregnancy-related low back pain (p=.04) and sick leave due to pregnancy-related low back pain (p=.03) more than a land-based physical exercise program.


CONCLUSIONS
Water aerobics can be recommended for the treatment of low back pain during pregnancy. The benefits of a land-based physical exercise program are questionable and further evaluation is needed.
Granath
Aina B
AB
Research and Development Unit, Primary Health Care in Southern Bohuslän County, Krokslätts vårdcentral, Mölndal, Sweden. aina.granath@vgregion.se
Hellgren
Margareta S E
MS
Gunnarsson
Ronny K
RK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013550:Swimming; D016896:Treatment Outcome