Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Thoracolumbar Fascia in Pregnant Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Pregnancy causes the development of biomechanical adaptations in the musculoskeletal system, especially in the lumbopelvic region. In this context, the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) is the most important structure in this region and is an exoskeleton for the muscles of the lumbar region. However, it has not been objectively clarified how the TLF adapts to the changes in the lumbopelvic region during pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the trimester-specific biomechanical (stiffness, decrement and tone) and viscoelastic (creep and relaxation time) properties of the TLF, which adapts to the lumbopelvic region changes in pregnant women.

Official Title
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Investigation of Trimester-Specific Normative Values of Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Thoracolumbar Fascia in Pregnant Women

Conditions
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Pregnant Women

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Evaluation of biomechanics and viscoelastic properties of Thoracolumbar fascia


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: First pregnancy Being in the first trimester of pregnancy They are between the ages of 18-40 Pre-pregnancy Body-Mass-Index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: Presence of connective tissue disease Deterioration of skin integrity in measurement areas Presence of orthopedic, neurological, rheumatic problems that may cause musculoskeletal disorders and deviations from normal in biomechanical alignment History of spine, pelvis or lower extremity surgery or fracture in the past 6 months Description of chronic (more than 3 months) lumbar-pelvic region pain before pregnancy Defining metabolic disorders such as type I, II diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia Having Pelvic Girdle Pain

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Group: Pregnant women (first pregnancy)<br>This group will consist of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women will be evaluated 3 times in total, each measurement being in a different trimester. | Other: Evaluation of biomechanics and viscoelastic properties of Thoracolumbar fascia<br>* The biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the Thoracolumbar fascia will be measured in the prone position. Measurements will be taken from three different points.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of thoracolumbar fascia | Measuring of the stiffness (N/m) of the thoracolumbar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the prone position. | Measurement the change from baseline stiffness values of Thoracolumbar fascia at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week | 
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of thoracolumbar fascia | Measuring of the decrement of the thoracolumbar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the prone position. | Measurement the change from baseline decrement values of Thoracolumbar fascia at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week | 
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of thoracolumbar fascia | Measuring of the tone (Hz) of the thoracolumbar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the prone position. | Measurement the change from baseline tone values of Thoracolumbar fascia at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week | 
| Evaluation of viscoelastic properties of thoracolumbar fascia | Measuring of thethe relaxation time (ms) of the thoracolumbar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the prone position. | Measurement the change from baseline relaxation time values of Thoracolumbar fascia at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week | 
| Evaluation of viscoelastic properties of thoracolumbar fascia | Measuring of the creep of the thoracolumbar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the prone position. | Measurement the change from baseline creep values of Thoracolumbar fascia at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of Body Weight | Measuring of the Body Weight | Measurement the change from baseline body weight (kg) at 12., 22. and 34. weeks.] | 
| Evaluation of Body Mass Index (BMI) | BMI (kg/m2) will be calculated as person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. | Measurement the change from baseline BMI values at 12., 22. and 34. weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pregnant women, thoracolumbar fascia, stiffness, creep