Effect of Combined Program of Electro Acupuncture With Exercise on Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction During Pregnancy

Effect of Combined Program of Electro Acupuncture With Exercise on Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction During Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study's Objective: this study aimed to discover the effect of combining electroacupuncture with therapeutic exercises on of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy.A prospective randomized controlled trial that compared 2 groups of participants was executed. 60 primipara and multipara pregnant women at 25-28 weeks' of gestation diagnosed with symphysis pubis dysfunction were involved. Group A included participants who joined six-week physiotherapy sessions composed of electroacupuncture technique combined with relevant therapeutic exercise, wore a pelvic belt and received pieces of advice. While, group B involved control participants who followed the routine care and received advice as well as put on the same pelvic belt as group A participants.The intervention was associated with a statistically significant pain reduction and much less progression of inter-pubic gap widening among group A participants.In summary, electroacupuncture should be integrated into a multimodal care plan, combining stabilizing exercises and ergonomic advice, while adhering to the listed safety exclusions to improve quality of life for women suffering from symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pregnancy Complications
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Electroacupuncture Technique and Stabilizing Exercises

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Banī Suwayf, Egypt
    • Beni-Suef University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 60 primipara and multipara pregnant women at 25-28 weeks' of gestation diagnosed with symphysis pubis dysfunction were involved. Their ages ranged from 25-40 years and their body mass index (BMI) did not surpass 35 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria included participants who were diagnosed with placenta previa, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or active preterm labor, as well as patients with a history of recurrent miscarriage, cervical insufficiency, or current multiple gestation.12,13 Additionally, patients with the presence of a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or seizure disorder because of electromagnetic interference and the potential to lower the seizure threshold.14 Cutaneous infection, severe edema, or dermatitis over the intended needling sites were also exclusion criteria, as they increase the likelihood of local complications and systemic spread of infection.15 Coagulopathies, thrombocytopenia, or current anticoagulant therapy represent absolute contraindications for electro acupuncture.16

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: No Intervention; Placebo Group routine pelvic belt as well as advice
Experimental: Intervention group; Intervention group participants	Other: Electroacupuncture Technique and Stabilizing Exercises; physiotherapy plan of care in the form of sessions composed of electroacupuncture technique combined with relevant therapeutic exercise, wore a pelvic belt and received pieces of advice.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Symphysis Pubis Width	It was described by inter-pubic gap space measured in millimetres by means of ultrasonically before and after 6 weeks of intervention procedure.	4 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Beni-Suef University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 11, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 12, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): May 16, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 18, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Symphysis Pubis- dysfunction- pain- electroacupuncture- exercise
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications
• Other Study ID Numbers: FMBSUREC/02122025A/Awad

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No