Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Adapted Physical Activity and Pelvic Floor Function for Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy

40 participantsStarted 2025-09-30

Plain-language summary

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a common condition during pregnancy, affecting up to two-thirds of women. It can cause significant discomfort, limit daily activities, and reduce quality of life. Current treatment options are limited, and many women continue to experience pain throughout pregnancy and even after childbirth. This study will evaluate whether a structured program of adapted physical activity, with additional individualized pelvic floor rehabilitation when needed, can reduce pelvic girdle pain and improve function during pregnancy. The intervention consists of weekly 60-minute sessions of adapted physical activity, led by a pelvic health physiotherapist, from inclusion until 36-38 weeks of gestation. The exercises focus on lumbopelvic stability, mobility, strengthening, and safe aerobic activity. If a participant presents with pelvic floor dysfunction, individualized rehabilitation may be added in parallel. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (adapted physical activity ± pelvic floor rehabilitation) or a control group. The control group will receive standard pregnancy follow-up care plus a validated flyer with international recommendations on physical activity during pregnancy but without supervised sessions. The primary outcomes are pain intensity and functional impact of PGP, measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). Secondary outcomes include self-reported physical activity, pelvic symptoms, pelvic floor function, adherence to the intervention, and acceptability of the program. A total of 40 pregnant women will be enrolled at Hospital La Tour in Geneva, Switzerland. Assessments will take place at three time points: inclusion (≤27 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36-38 weeks), and 3 months after delivery. The study is expected to provide new evidence on the benefits of integrating pelvic floor functionality into physical activity programs for pregnant women with PGP. If effective, this approach could inform clinical practice and improve care for women during pregnancy

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women aged ≥18 years * Gestational age ≤27 weeks at enrollment * Clinically confirmed pelvic girdle pain, defined as: * Pain localized between the posterior iliac crest and the gluteal fold, particularly around the sacroiliac joints and/or pubic symphysis, Pain intensity ≥3/10 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS), At least 3 positive clinical tests among: Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation (P4) test, Patrick's FABER, Menell's test, Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR), and palpation of long dorsal sacroiliac ligament or symphysis pubis * Ability to understand and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Isolated low back pain without pelvic involvement * Contraindications to exercise during pregnancy (e.g., severe preeclampsia, placenta previa after 26 weeks, risk of preterm labor, ruptured membranes, significant cardiac or pulmonary disease) * Neurological, rheumatologic, or orthopedic conditions that may interfere with participation * Insufficient French language proficiency to understand questionnaires and instructions * Participation in another interventional study that could affect outcomes

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)

Timeframe: Baseline (≤27 weeks gestation), 36-38 weeks gestation and 3 months postpartum.

Functional Impact of Pelvic Girdle Pain (Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire, PGQ)

Timeframe: Baseline, Gestational Weeks 36-38 and 3 months postpartum.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07186504

SponsorHaute Ecole de Santé Vaud

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-03-31

Contact for this trial

Jeanne BERTUIT, Associate Professor

+41 21 316 81 33 jeanne.bertuit@hesav.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pelvic Girdle Pain trials