title: The efficacy of physiotherapy for the prevention and treatment of prenatal symptoms: a systematic review.
abstract: Several studies have described the evidence of prenatal physiotherapy for one symptom, but none has made an overview. We provided a systematic review on the effectiveness of prenatal physiotherapy. A full search was conducted in three electronic databases (Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE and PEDro), selecting randomized controlled trials concerning prenatal physiotherapy. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. We identified 1,249 studies and after exclusions 54 studies were included concerning the evidence of prenatal physiotherapy. The majority of studies indicated a preventative effect for low back pain/pelvic girdle pain, weight gain, incontinence, and perineal massage. For leg edema, fear, and prenatal depression, the efficacy was only based on one study per symptom. No preventative effect was found for gestational diabetes, while literature concerning gestational hypertensive disorders was inconclusive. Regarding the treatment of low back pain/pelvic girdle pain and weight gain, most therapies reduced pain and weight respectively. Evidence regarding exercises for diabetes was contradictory and only minimally researched for incontinence. Foot massage and stockings reduced leg edema and leg symptoms respectively. Concerning gestational hypertensive disorders, perineal pain, fear, and prenatal depression no treatment studies were performed. The majority of studies indicated that prenatal physiotherapy played a preventative role for low back pain/pelvic girdle pain, weight gain, incontinence, and pelvic pain. Evidence for the remaining symptoms was inclusive or only minimally investigated. Regarding treatment, most studies indicated a reduction of low back pain/pelvic girdle pain, weight gain, incontinence, and the symptoms of leg edema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Post office box 1501, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Kampen
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Post office box 1501, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Devoogdt
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Post office box 1501, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Groef
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Post office box 1501, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Post office box 1501, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. inge.geraerts@faber.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Geraerts
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D059388:Pelvic Girdle Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Antenatal; Childbirth; Pregnancy; Prenatal physiotherapy; Symptoms
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