Effects of lower back pain on postural equilibrium and fall risk during the third trimester of pregnancy

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the effects of lower back pain (LBP) on postural equilibrium and fall risk during the third trimester pregnancy period by comparing postural stability between pregnant with LBP and pregnant without LBP control women.Methods: The study population comprised 68 women of 24–35 years in the third trimester of pregnancy. They were divided into Groups 1 (n = 30) and 2 (n = 38) according to the presence or absence of LBP, respectively. Postural stability were evaluated between groups using Tetrax Interactive Balance System posturography (Tetrax, Sunlight Medical Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel) with eight sensory conditions.Results: For eight different positions, pregnant patients with LBP showed significantly higher values of general stability index, Fourier transformation index (F1, F2–F4, F5–F6 and F7–F8) and fall index than controls.Conclusion: LBP has a negative effect on postural stability. Postural equilibrium decreases and fall risk increases in pregnant patients with LBP.