Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| [b] Department of Health Sciences Post-Graduation and Physical Therapy, Laboratory of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal, University Santo Amaro, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
| [c] Physical Therapy, Speech, and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
| [d] Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Fayiz F. El-shamy, Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy,
Kafrelsheikh University, El-geish Street, Kafrelsheikh, 33511, Egypt. E-mail: ff_elshamy@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Pregnancy includes a series of changes to posture and gait. PURPOSE:The aim of this study is to investigate the short-term effect of proprioceptive training on the postural balance of pregnant women. METHODS:This is a randomized controlled trial with blinding of participants and examiners conducted in physician practices at the obstetric department of the hospital. Thirty-nine pregnant women with age between 25–30 years at 20 weeks gestation (WG) were randomized into blocks and allocated to either the intervention group with proprioceptive exercises (PEG; n = 20) or the control group (CG; n = 19). All outcomes (anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML) and global postural sway (GPS) indices were measured by the Biodex Balance System®-BBS at 20, 24, and 32 WG. RESULTS:After 4 weeks’ intervention, the PEG showed decreased sway (AP, ML, and GPS indices) compared to the CG, indicating an improvement in postural balance due to the intervention. With pre- and post-intervention (between 20 and 24 WG), the PEG showed decreased AP and GPS sway. In the CG, without intervention, no sway was different between the pre and post period. After 8 weeks of follow-up (32 WG), the PEG demonstrated the maintenance and improvement of all the index of postural sway. In the CG, these index of postural sway has significantly increased. CONCLUSION:The proprioceptive training is effective in the reduction of postural sway during pregnancy. This improvement was maintained after 8 weeks of follow-up.
