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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05493891

Low Back Pain Intensity and Core Muscle Strength After Different Delivery Modes

Cesarean delivery (CD) may trigger an increase in low back pain (LBP) intensity and induce core muscle weakness. This study will assess the correlation between low back pain intensity and core muscle strength of transverse abdominis and Lumbar multifidus among women who underwent CD and compare it with those who experienced vaginal delivery.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain and Core Muscle Back Pain Low Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Faculty of physical therapy, South Valley University

Qina, Qena Governorate, 83523, Egypt

About this study

Cesarean delivery (CD) is one of the most common surgical procedures in obstetrics, and it is also one of the oldest medical procedures. The rise in the rate of cesarean sections is one of the most striking hallmarks of modern obstetrics.

In Egypt, the prevalence of CD has increased dramatically over the last decade, with the most recent Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) reporting a rate of 52 percent, implying that cesarean sections may be overused or utilized for improper reasons.

The two deep local core muscles are the transversus abdominis and the lumbar multifidus muscles. The definition of Core muscle strength is the active ability of these muscles to not only produce but also, maintain stresses to provide stability for the spine through management of the intra-abdominal pressure.

LBP prevalence in mothers undergoing cesarean delivery was higher compared to its counterpart in mothers undergoing vaginal delivery. The related mechanisms for LBP during the postpartum period following cesarean or vaginal deliveries may be overweight and obesity, postural adaptations, and stressful positions that mothers assume during either delivery or lactation.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • All women are either primiparous or multiparous.
  • Their ages ranged from 18 to 35 years.
  • All participants had a body mass index (BMI) of not more than 29.5, and a waist-to-hip ratio of not more than 1.
  • Participants were assessed between the 6th week to the 12th week postnatal.
  • All participants were able to continue all assessment procedures.
  • They were medically stable.

Exclusion criteria

  • Women who were below 18 years old or above 35 years old.
  • Women who had a (BMI) above 29.5 or a waist-to-hip ratio above 1.
  • Women who did not continue all assessment procedures.
  • Women who had a past history of specific LBP as those who were diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, lumbar disc prolapse, or structural scoliosis.

Treatment and study plan

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Other

VAS is a reliable and valid method for assessing the intensity of low back pain (LBP)

Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU)

Device

PBU is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of both lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis muscles (core muscle strength)

Primary outcomes

  1. The intensity of LBP

    Time frame: Assessment will be done 6-12 weeks after Cesarean OR Vaginal deliveries

    The intensity of low back pain is a standardized method to quantify the severity of low back pain

  2. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the transversus abdominis muscle

    Time frame: Assessment will be done 6-12 weeks after Cesarean or Vaginal Deliveries

    The maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is an objective standardized method with high reliability used to evaluate and quantify muscle strength

  3. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the lumbar multifidus muscle

    Time frame: Assessment will be done 6-12 weeks after Cesarean or Vaginal Deliveries

    The maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is an objective standardized method with high reliability used to evaluate and quantify muscle strength

  4. The correlation coefficient between low back pain intensity and core muscle strength

    Time frame: Assessment will be done 6-12 weeks after Cesarean or Vaginal Deliveries

    The correlation coefficient between two variables of outcome is a valid statistical method to the association between them

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

South Valley University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Testing the Association Between Low Back Pain Intensity and Core Muscle Strength in Women Who Underwent Cesarean or Vaginal Deliveries

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2023
First posted
Aug 9, 2022
Registry last updated
Oct 2, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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