Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review (SR) of the literature
to assess the effectiveness of chiropractic care options commonly used for pregnancy-related
low back pain (LBP), pelvic girdle pain (PGP), or combination pain for both experienced
practitioners and students of chiropractic.
Methods
We included procedures that were commonly used by chiropractors and not requiring
additional certifications. Outcomes were self-reported changes in pain or disability.
We used the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network checklists to assess outcomes.
For strength of evidence, we used the adapted version of the US Preventive Services
Task Force criteria as described in the UK report.
Results
Fifty articles were included from 18 SRs, 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs),
and 2 cohort studies. Pregnancy LBP (7 SRs and 12 RCTs): moderate, favorable evidence
for electrotherapy and osteopathic manipulative therapy; inconclusive, favorable strength
for chiropractic care, exercise, and support devices; and inconclusive, unclear strength
for spinal manipulative therapy. Pregnancy PGP (4 SRs and 4 RCTs): inconclusive, favorable
strength for exercise; and inconclusive, unclear evidence for patient education, information,
and support devices. Pregnancy LBP or PGP (13 SRs and 12 RCTs): moderate, unclear
evidence for complementary and alternative medicine; moderate, unclear evidence for
exercise; inconclusive, favorable evidence for multimodal care, patient education,
and physiotherapy; and inconclusive, unclear strength for spinal manipulative therapy,
osteopathic manipulative therapy, and support devices.
Conclusion
Although there is a lack of conclusive evidence, many of the interventions have moderate
or unclear but favorable evidence.
Key Indexing Terms
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 05, 2020
Accepted:
May 13,
2020
Received in revised form:
February 6,
2020
Received:
November 4,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 by National University of Health Sciences.
