Factors Associated With Disability in Postpartum Lumbopelvic Pain

September 3, 2026 updated by: Seda Saka, Halic University

Clinical, Biomechanical, Psychological, and Biochemical Factors Associated With Functional Disability in Women With Postpartum Lumbopelvic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Postpartum lumbopelvic pain may affect functional ability, daily activities, physical performance, psychological well-being, and health-related quality of life. The aim of this observational cross-sectional study is to investigate clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical factors associated with functional disability in women with postpartum lumbopelvic pain.

Approximately 45 women aged 18 to 50 years who are 6 to 15 months postpartum and have persistent low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain will be enrolled. General functional disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and pelvic-girdle-specific symptoms and activity limitations will be assessed using the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). Pain intensity during activity, at rest, and at night will be evaluated using visual analogue scales (VAS).

Psychological status will be evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the physical and mental component scores of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Biomechanical assessments will include diastasis recti abdominis and trunk muscle endurance using flexor endurance, extensor endurance, prone plank, right side-plank, and left side-plank tests.

Mode of delivery will also be recorded. Biochemical evaluation will include circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and cortisol. The study will examine the relationships between functional disability and these clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical variables.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

This observational cross-sectional study is designed to comprehensively evaluate clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical factors associated with functional disability in women with postpartum lumbopelvic pain.

Women aged 18 to 50 years who are between 6 and 15 months postpartum and have experienced persistent low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain for at least three months will be screened for eligibility. Participants meeting the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria will undergo a standardized clinical assessment.

General functional disability will be evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Pelvic-girdle-specific symptoms and activity limitations will be assessed using the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). Pain intensity will be evaluated separately during activity, at rest, and at night using 0-100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS).

Psychological status will be assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Health-related quality of life will be evaluated using the physical and mental component scores of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).

Biomechanical assessment will include evaluation of diastasis recti abdominis and trunk muscle endurance. Diastasis recti abdominis will be assessed during an abdominal curl-up. Trunk endurance will be evaluated using flexor endurance, extensor endurance, prone plank, right side-plank, and left side-plank tests. Mode of delivery will also be recorded.

Biochemical assessment will include circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and cortisol. Blood samples will be obtained at approximately 10:00 a.m. and analyzed by specialist biochemistry personnel.

The primary objective of the study is to examine the relationship between functional disability and clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical factors. Additional analyses will investigate associations among ODI, PGQ, pain intensity, EPDS, SF-12 physical and mental health scores, trunk endurance, diastasis recti status, mode of delivery, and circulating biomarkers.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
45

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Women aged 18 to 50 years who are 6 to 15 months postpartum and attend routine follow-up at the study center will be screened after examination by an obstetrics and gynecology specialist. Eligible participants will have postpartum lumbopelvic pain, defined as persistent low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain lasting for at least three months, and will meet the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Female participants aged 18 to 50 years. Having given birth 6 to 15 months before study enrollment. Diagnosis of postpartum lumbopelvic pain by an obstetrics and gynecology specialist.

Low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain persisting for at least 3 months. Pain intensity of at least 5/10 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

History of low back pain or pelvic girdle pain before pregnancy. Multiple pregnancy. Receipt of another therapy or medication for the condition during the study period.

History of serious trauma. Musculoskeletal injury or bone fracture. Myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia. Osteoarthritis. Neurological disease, including radiculopathy or myelopathy. Chronic inflammatory disease. History of cancer. Osteoporosis.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Women With Postpartum Lumbopelvic Pain
Women aged 18 to 50 years who are 6 to 15 months postpartum and have persistent low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain for at least three months. Participants will meet the predefined eligibility criteria and undergo clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical assessments.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
General functional disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The ODI consists of 10 sections scored from 0 to 5, producing a raw score from 0 to 50. The raw score will be converted to a percentage score ranging from 0 to 100%, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
At the single study assessment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Pelvic-girdle-specific symptoms and activity limitations will be assessed using the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater symptoms and activity limitations related to pelvic girdle pain.
At the single study assessment
Pain Intensity During Activity - Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Pain intensity during activity will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity during physical activity.
At the single study assessment
Pain Intensity at Rest - Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Pain intensity at rest will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity while at rest.
At the single study assessment
Night Pain - Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Night pain will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity experienced during the night.
At the single study assessment
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Postnatal depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The EPDS is a 10-item self-reported questionnaire designed to assess depressive symptoms during the postnatal period. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating a greater level of depressive symptoms.
At the single study assessment
12-Item Short Form Health Survey - Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Perceived physical health and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Physical Component Score of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Higher scores indicate better perceived physical health and physical health-related quality of life.
At the single study assessment
12-Item Short Form Health Survey - Mental Component Score (SF-12 MCS)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Perceived mental health and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Mental Component Score of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Higher scores indicate better perceived mental health and mental health-related quality of life.
At the single study assessment
Diastasis Recti Abdominis Status
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Diastasis recti abdominis will be assessed by palpation 2 cm above the umbilicus while the participant performs an abdominal curl-up in the supine position. The examiner will place the fingers transversely across the linea alba to estimate the separation between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles. Diastasis recti will be classified as present when the inter-recti distance is at least two fingerbreadths and absent when the distance is less than two fingerbreadths.
At the single study assessment
Trunk Flexor Endurance
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Trunk flexor endurance will be evaluated using a McGill-based flexor endurance test. Participants will sit with the hips and knees positioned at 90 degrees and the trunk initially supported at approximately 60 degrees. Timing will begin when the support is removed and will end when the participant can no longer maintain the standardized position. Endurance duration will be recorded in seconds. Three trials will be performed and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater trunk flexor endurance.
At the single study assessment
Trunk Extensor Endurance
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Trunk extensor endurance will be assessed with a McGill-based extensor endurance test. The participant will be positioned prone with the pelvis and lower limbs stabilized while the unsupported trunk is maintained in a horizontal position. Timing will stop when the participant can no longer maintain the required horizontal position. Endurance duration will be recorded in seconds. Three trials will be performed and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater trunk extensor endurance.
At the single study assessment
Right Side-Plank Endurance
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Right lateral trunk endurance will be evaluated using the side-plank endurance test. The participant will maintain the standardized side-plank position while supported on the elbow and feet. The duration for which the correct position can be maintained will be recorded in seconds. Three trials will be performed and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater right lateral trunk endurance.
At the single study assessment
Left Side-Plank Endurance
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Left lateral trunk endurance will be evaluated using the side-plank endurance test. The participant will maintain the standardized side-plank position while supported on the elbow and feet. The duration for which the correct position can be maintained will be recorded in seconds. Three trials will be performed and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater left lateral trunk endurance.
At the single study assessment
Prone Plank Endurance
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Anterior trunk endurance will be evaluated using the prone plank test. Participants will maintain a standardized plank position with the body aligned and supported on the forearms and toes. Timing will end when the standardized position can no longer be maintained. Endurance duration will be recorded in seconds. Three trials will be performed and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater trunk endurance.
At the single study assessment
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration will be measured from blood samples obtained at approximately 10:00 a.m. and analyzed by specialist biochemistry personnel. CRP will be recorded in mg/L.
At the single study assessment
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) will be measured from blood samples obtained at approximately 10:00 a.m. and analyzed by specialist biochemistry personnel. IL-6 will be recorded in pg/mL.
At the single study assessment
Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Circulating interleukin-10 (IL-10) will be measured from blood samples obtained at approximately 10:00 a.m. and analyzed by specialist biochemistry personnel. IL-10 will be recorded as a percentage (%), according to the laboratory reporting method.
At the single study assessment
Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-alpha)
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) will be measured from blood samples obtained at approximately 10:00 a.m. and analyzed by specialist biochemistry personnel. TNF-alpha will be recorded as a percentage (%), according to the laboratory reporting method.
At the single study assessment
Total Cortisol
Time Frame: At the single study assessment
Total circulating cortisol will be measured from blood samples obtained at approximately 10:00 a.m. and analyzed by specialist biochemistry personnel. Cortisol concentration will be recorded in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL).
At the single study assessment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Halic University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 3, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 3, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • AYO-Postpartum-CS-2026-09

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

There is currently no prespecified plan to share individual participant data (IPD) with external researchers. Study findings will be reported in aggregate form.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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