Exercise Interventions for Reducing Low Back Pain During Pregnancy: A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33755/jkk.v12i3.1013Keywords:
Exercise, Low Back Pain, Physical Activity, PregnancyAbstract
Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) can have a negative impact on physical and psychological conditions, so that treatment of these symptoms requires attention. There is a lot of literature stating the positive effects of exercise activity, but evidence related to the type and duration of activity is not clear.
Objective: This study aims to find out the type and duration of exercise that can reduce LBP during pregnancy.
Methods: Scoping review using the framework from Arksey & O'Malley consisting of: identifying research questions; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing and reporting the results.
Searching for articles using databases from Sciencedirect, Pubmed, Springer link, Scopus, Clinicalkey, Oxford Academic .The inclusion criteria: full text in English, published in 2020 until 2025, experimental RCT research design, nursing scope. Article appraisal using CONSORT from the Joana Briggs Institute (JBI) independently by each author.
Results: Five randomized controlled trial articles were included according to the criteria. Physical activities that can be done to reduce LBP symptom include pilates (2 times a week for 60 minutes); aerobic exercise (3 times a week for 60 minutes); lumbar stabilization exercise (2 times a week for 50 minutes) and pelvic floor muscle (3 times a week for 60 minutes). All of the above activities have a positive effect on reducing pain felt by pregnant women at various gestational ages.
Conclusion: In conclusion, LBP during pregnancy can be reduced by physical activity exercises such as Pilates, aerobics, lumbar stabilization exercises or pelvic muscle floor exercises with an average duration of 2 times a week for 60 minutes
References
1. Manyozo SD, Nesto T, Bonongwe P, Muula AS. Low back pain during pregnancy: Prevalence, risk factors and association with daily activities among pregnant women in urban Blantyre, Malawi. Malawi Med J. 2019;31(1):71–6.
2. Fiat F, Merghes PE, Scurtu AD, Almajan Guta B, Dehelean CA, Varan N, et al. The Main Changes in Pregnancy—Therapeutic Approach to Musculoskeletal Pain. Med. 2022;58(8).
3. Salari N, Mohammadi A, Hemmati M, Hasheminezhad R, Kani S, Shohaimi S, et al. The global prevalence of low back pain in pregnancy: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth [Internet]. 2023 Dec;23(1). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-06151-x
4. Fruscalzo A, Cocco P, Londero AP, Gantert M. Low Back Pain during Pregnancy and Delivery Outcomes. Vol. 226, Zeitschrift fur Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie. 2022. p. 104–11.
5. Pisoh DW, Karelle NTJ, Nchufor RN, Ako TW, Mforteh AAA, Boten M, et al. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors and clinical profile in the Bamenda Regional Hospital. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025;25(1).
6. Fatmarizka T, Ramadanty RS, Khasanah DA. Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain and The Quality of Life among Pregnant Women : A Narrative Literature Review. J Public Heal Trop Coast Reg. 2021;4(3):108–16.
7. Long G, Yao ZY, Na Y, Ping Y, Wei S, Mingsheng T. Different types of low back pain in relation to pre- And post-natal maternal depressive symptoms. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):1–8.
8. Shah, Syed Fahd, Mumtaz, Naveed S, Kaya, Afzal B. A Study of Frequency o f Low Back ach ein Pregnant Women. Pak Armed Forces Med J. 2022;72(December 2019):887–90.
9. Rodriguez-Ayllon M, Acosta-Manzano P, Coll-Risco I, Romero-Gallardo L, Borges-Cosic M, Estévez-López F, et al. Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and physical fitness with mental health during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT project. J Sport Heal Sci. 2021;10(3):379–86.
10. Koukoulithras I, Stamouli A, Kolokotsios S, Plexousakis M, Mavrogiannopoulou C. The Effectiveness of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Upon Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2021;13(1):1–11.
11. Aalishahi T, Maryam-Lotfipur-Rafsanjani S, Ghorashi Z, Sayadi A. The effects of kinesio tape on low back pain and disability in pregnant women. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2022;27(1):41–6.
12. Bishop A, Holden MA, Ogollah RO, Foster NE. Current management of pregnancy-related low back pain: A national cross-sectional survey of UK physiotherapists. Physiother (United Kingdom) [Internet]. 2016;102(1):78 – 85. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84930328553&doi=10.1016%2Fj.physio.2015.02.003&partnerID=40&md5=544c4671a6daa4223d1c79344a0132db
13. Oktaviani I. Pilates workouts can reduce pain in pregnant women. Complement Ther Clin Pract [Internet]. 2018;31:349–51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.11.007
14. Oktavia Y, Budiman S, Riyanto A, Nugraheni DK. Pregnant Gymnastics on Lower Back Pain Levels and Anxiety Levels in Trimester III Pregnant Women. J Keperawatan Prof. 2024;5(2):207–23.
15. Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, Tulder MW V. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;8(January):18–9.
16. Fernández-Rodríguez R, Álvarez-Bueno C, Cavero-Redondo I, Torres-Costoso A, Pozuelo-Carrascosa DP, Reina-Gutiérrez S, et al. Best Exercise Options for Reducing Pain and Disability in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: Pilates, Strength, Core-Based, and Mind-Body. A Network Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(8):505–21.
17. Stuge B. Evidence of stabilizing exercises for low back- and pelvic girdle pain – a critical review. Brazilian J Phys Ther [Internet]. 2019;23(2):181–6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.11.006
18. Arksey H, O’Malley L. Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol Theory Pract. 2005;8(1):19–32.
19. Yıldırım P, Basol G, Karahan AY. Pilates-based therapeutic exercise for pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Turkish J Phys Med Rehabil [Internet]. 2023;69(2):207 – 215. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85165485908&doi=10.5606%2Ftftrd.2023.11054&partnerID=40&md5=fd66fa33a4fc2c43fbebdd95224ae099
20. Aparicio VA, Marín-Jiménez N, Flor-Alemany M, Acosta-Manzano P, Coll-Risco I, Baena-García L. Effects of a concurrent exercise training program on low back and sciatic pain and pain disability in late pregnancy. Scand J Med Sci Sport [Internet]. 2023;33(7):1201 – 1210. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85150976351&doi=10.1111%2Fsms.14353&partnerID=40&md5=4b37cab8ab9e324c71a4044806af8258
21. Carvalho AP, Dufresne SS, Rogerio de Oliveira M, Couto Furlanetto K, Dubois M, Dallaire M, et al. Effects of lumbar stabilization and muscular stretching on pain, disabilities, postural control and muscle activation in pregnant woman with low back pain. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2020 Jun;56(3):297–306.
22. Sonmezer E, Özköslü MA, Yosmaoğlu HB. The effects of clinical pilates exercises on functional disability, pain, quality of life and lumbopelvic stabilization in pregnant women with low back pain: A randomized controlled study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(1):69–76.
23. Mamipour H, Farazmehr S, Negahban H, Nazary-Moghadam S, Dehghan-Manshadi F, Navi Nezhad M, et al. Effect of Core Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Functional Disability, and Quality of Life in Pregnant Women With Lumbar and Pelvic Girdle Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2023;46(1):27–36.
24. Filipec M, Matijević R. Why We should Recommend Exercise in Pregnancy? Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2022;49(11):1–11.
25. Nascimento SL, Surita FG, Cecatti JG. Physical exercise during pregnancy: A systematic review. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2012;24(6):387–94.
26. Evenson KR, Hesketh KR. Monitoring Physical Activity Intensity During Pregnancy. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2023;17(1):18–31.
27. Yousefabadi SR, Sarani A, Arbabshastan ME, Adineh HA, Shahnavazi M. The effect of exercise on back pain and lordosis in the second trimester of pregnancy. Drug Invent Today. 2019;11(9):2169–75.
28. Yan CF, Hung YC, Gau ML, Lin KC. Effects of a stability ball exercise programme on low back pain and daily life interference during pregnancy. Midwifery. 2014;30(4):412–9.
29. Fatmarizka T, Ulee Keumala M. Pengaruh Stability Ball Exercise Terhadap Activity Daily Living Pada Ibu Hamil Dengan Keluhan Nyeri Punggung Bawah. Indones J Physiother. 2024;4(1):26–33.
30. Maidawilis, Asmaria M, Alimuddin, Dewi S, Minerva P, Miswarti, et al. Reducing back pain intensity using a combination of music therapy and yoga: Case study in pregnant women. J Phys Educ Sport. 2023;23(12):3385–90.
31. Hinman SK, Smith KB, Quillen DM, Smith MS. Exercise in Pregnancy: A Clinical Review. Sports Health. 2015;7(6):527–31.
32. Vladutiu CJ, Evenson KR, Marshall SW. Physical activity and injuries during pregnancy. J Phys Act Heal. 2010;7(6):761–9.
33. Verdière S, Guinhouya BC, Salerno D, Deruelle P. L’activité physique devrait-elle être contre-indiquée pendant la grossesse au regard des risques qui lui sont potentiellement associés ? Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol. 2017;45(2):104–11.
34. Daglas V, Kostopoulos N, Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou I, Mitrotasios M, Dagla M, Lykeridou A, et al. Healthcare Professionals’ Attitudes and Practices According to Their Recommendations on Exercise during the First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Greek Cross-Sectional Study. Sports. 2024;12(7):1–17.
35. Turan Alagöz A, Gercek H, Unuvar BS, Findik FY, Ozgul S. The effects of pilates method in pregnant women: scoping review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025;25(1).
36. Pires TF, Pires PM, Costa R, Viana R. Effects of pelvic floor muscle training in pregnant women. Porto Biomed J. 2020;5(5):e077.
37. Lewis E. Exercise in pregnancy. Aust Fam Physician. 2014;43(8):541–2.
38. Filhol G, Bernard P, Quantin X, Espian-Marcais C, Ninot G. International recommandations on physical exercise for pregnant women. Gynecol Obstet Fertil [Internet]. 2014;42(12):856–60. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gyobfe.2014.09.014
39. Haseli A, Eghdampour F, Zarei H, Karimian Z, Rasoal D. Optimizing labor duration with pilates: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024;24(1).
