Effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises versus pilates exercises on postnatal low back pain

Introduction:
Low back pain denotes a prevalent global health concern that frequently affects postpartum women, resulting in a variety of adverse health outcomes, including difficulties with walking, working, sleeping, and mood regulation. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises versus Pilates exercises on postnatal low back pain.

Material and methods:
This randomized, controlled trial was implemented between February 2024 to June 2024 at Kasr El Ainy Hospital. Sixty women complaining of postnatal low back pain participated in this study, they were aged between 25 and 35 years, with a body mass index of no more than 30 kg/m². All were 3 months postnatal, their parity varied, ranging from 1-3 times. Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A included thirty postnatal women received progressive muscle relaxation exercises, and Group B included thirty postnatal women received Pilates exercises, thrice weekly sessions for 4 weeks. A pressure algometer was used to assess the pain pressure threshold (PPT) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) was employed to evaluate the patient's functional disability and quality of life for each woman in both groups (A & B) before and after treatment.

Results:
Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in all measures posttreatment (p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons following treatment Group B showed significantly greater improvement (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Pilates exercises achieve better results than progressive muscle relaxation exercises in treating postnatal low back pain.