Clinical trial NCT05834166: Effects of Upper Back Strengthening and Postural Correction in Pregnant Females With Costal Rib Pain
Official title: Effects of Upper Back Strengthening and Postural Correction on Pain, Functional Status and Sleep Quality in Females With Costal Rib Pain in 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Chest Pain
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-04-28
Enrollment: 22
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 40
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: 1. Study will be a Non-Randomized clinical trial to check the effects of upper back strengthening and postural correction on pain, functional status and sleep quality in females with costal rib pain in 3rd trimester of pregnancy so that we can devise a treatment protocol for females during pregnancy suffering from costal rib pain. Duration of study was 6 months, Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used, subject following eligibility criteria from Avicenna Hospital were allocated in two groups, baseline assessment was done, Group A participants were given baseline treatment along with upper back strengthening and postural correction exercises, Group B participants were given baseline treatment along with no other specific treatment for 3 weeks. On 6th and 12th day, post intervention assessment was done via, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Patient Specific Functional Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. 3 sessions per week were given, data was analyzed by using SPSS version 26.

Detailed description: Costal rib pain is very common in pregnancy, especially during the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40). After excluding other serious conditions, this condition can also be diagnosed as intercostal myalgia, costochondritis or muscular strain. There are a lot of causes which can result in costal rib pain such as ribs flaring, hormonal changes, increase in the breast size, inflammation of the ribs cartilage and the stretch on intercostal muscles. It can thus result in pain and discomfort due to which the pregnant females find it difficult to sleep at night and also have functional limitations. The prevalence rate of upper back and costal rib pain in pregnancy is almost 47%. The findings of this study can help physiotherapists to manage the costal rib pain in pregnancy more effectively. This will add valuable knowledge to provide the patients with non-invasive and non-pharmacological options for management of costal rib pain.

There are different structured program with exercises for flexibility, balance and strengthening for the majority of skeletal muscles specifically for the spinal ones, between the 24th and 36th week of pregnancy. Strengthening exercises centered on the trunk reduce pain, improve Quality of life and Physical health in late pregnancy and at two months in the postpartum period. Strengthening exercises also ease the delivery.

Upper back strengthening will involve exercises with light-to-moderate load of free weights (body weight or resistance bands) or with stability ball. Postural correction will involve maintaining the correct posture.

Soft tissue mobilization, chest muscle stretch, trunk muscle stretch and diaphragmatic breathing exercises were incorporated as baseline exercises in both groups.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age : 20-40 years Pregnant females in 3rd trimester
* Positive Painful rib syndrome history(6)
* Primigravida

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Tietze syndrome

  * Rib Fractures
  * Rib tip syndrome
  * Slipping Rib Syndrome
  * Any recent trauma (last 6 months)
  * High Risk pregnancy
  * Any bony or soft tissue systemic disease

Primary outcomes:
measure: Numeric Pain Rating Scale
timeFrame: up to 4 weeks
measure: Patient Specific Functional Scale
timeFrame: up to 4 weeks
measure: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
timeFrame: up to 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lahore
country: Pakistan
facility: Avicenna Hospital
state: Punjab
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Nayab Naina, MS*
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
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citation: Watelain E, Pinti A, Doya R, Garnier C, Toumi H, Boudet S. Benefits of physical activities centered on the trunk for pregnant women. Phys Sportsmed. 2017 Sep;45(3):293-302. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2017.1351286. Epub 2017 Jul 27.
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citation: Germanovich A, Ferrante FM. Multi-Modal Treatment Approach to Painful Rib Syndrome: Case Series and Review of the Literature. Pain Physician. 2016 Mar;19(3):E465-71.
citation: Zaremba S, Mueller N, Heisig AM, Shin CH, Jung S, Leffert LR, Bateman BT, Pugsley LJ, Nagasaka Y, Duarte IM, Ecker JL, Eikermann M. Elevated upper body position improves pregnancy-related OSA without impairing sleep quality or sleep architecture early after delivery. Chest. 2015 Oct;148(4):936-944. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-2973.
citation: Yoo WG. Effect of thoracic stretching, thoracic extension exercise and exercises for cervical and scapular posture on thoracic kyphosis angle and upper thoracic pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2013 Nov;25(11):1509-10. doi: 10.1589/jpts.25.1509. Epub 2013 Dec 11.