What is this study trying to find out about pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain?

This study is investigating whether problems with lower back sensation, body awareness, psychological factors, and inflammation are linked to balance issues and the occurrence or persistence of pelvic girdle pain in women who have been pregnant before. The research is led by Hasselt University and aims to better understand what influences this pain during and after pregnancy. Participants can help uncover important information about how these factors affect pelvic girdle pain.

Who may be eligible for this pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain clinical trial?

Women aged 18 to 40 who are pregnant with a single baby and expecting their second or later child may be eligible. Participants must not currently have pelvic girdle pain or have had it during this pregnancy, and must be able to understand Dutch. Women with major spine or lower limb injuries, certain medical conditions, or psychiatric diagnoses will not be eligible. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain clinical trial?

Study-related care, including assessments and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel and related expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any travel costs associated with attending study visits.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 40Years

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

ID04226716

The Role of Lumbar Proprioceptive Deficits, Psychosocial Factors and Inflammation in Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain a Follow-up Study in Multiparous Pregnant Women

Led by Hasselt University · Updated on 2026-03-03

192

Participants Needed

Research Sites

52 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Pregnancy-related low back and pelvic girdle pain PPGP affects many pregnant women, and for about 10 of them, the pain continues after childbirth. The causes of PPGP are not well understood. This study aims to explore whether problems with lumbar proprioception, altered body perception of the lower back, psychological factors such as fear of movement, depression, anxiety, and stress, and increased inflammation in the blood are linked to poorer balance and the development or persistence of PPGP in women who have been pregnant before during their pregnancy and postpartum period. The study follows two groups multiparous women those who have had at least one previous pregnancy are assessed multiple times during their first and third trimesters, and again at six weeks and six months after giving birth. Nulliparous women those who have never given birth are measured once or twice for comparison. The research involves behavioral assessments of postural control, lumbar proprioceptive use, body perception of the back, psychosocial factors including fear of movement and mental health, and blood samples to measure inflammation. These evaluations are performed throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods for multiparous women. Participants will attend visits at specific times before 16 weeks of pregnancy, between 32 and 38 weeks of pregnancy, six weeks postpartum, and six months postpartum for the multiparous group nulliparous participants are assessed once or twice shortly after joining. During these visits, researchers will measure pain, disability, body weight and composition, body perception tasks, questionnaires on psychological factors, and inflammatory markers from blood samples. The main outcomes focus on the presence of PPGP and postural control at these timepoints. This extended follow-up helps understand how these factors change over time and relate to the persistence of pain.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

The Role of Proprioceptive Deficits, Psychosocial Factors and Inflammation in Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 40Years

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Female multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy
Pregnant with second or later child
No current pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) during this pregnancy
Willing to provide written informed consent
Female nulliparous women age- and BMI-matched to pregnant participants
Nulliparous women willing to provide written informed consent

You will not qualify if you...

Pregnant for more than 16 weeks at enrollment
Current or recent (during this pregnancy) pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in multiparous women
History of surgery or major trauma to spine or pelvis
Surgery or trauma to lower limbs within last two years or ongoing symptoms from earlier trauma
Specific balance or vestibular disorders
Rheumatic disease or treatment by rheumatologist
Neurological abnormalities such as peripheral neuropathy
Uncorrected vision problems
Acute ankle problems
Absolute or relative bed rest due to pregnancy complications
Formal psychiatric disorder diagnosis
Non-Dutch speaking
Nulliparous women with low back or pelvic girdle pain currently or in past six months
History of chronic low back or pelvic girdle pain
Spinal deformities
History of surgery or major trauma to spine, pelvis, or lower limbs
Rheumatic disease
Neurological abnormalities
Psychiatric disorders
Uncorrected visual problems
Non-Dutch speaking

Research Team

Nina Goossens, PhD, PT

Lotte Janssens, PhD, PT

Not the Right Trial for You?

Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Already have an account? Log in here