The Changes in Balance During Pregnancy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Year 2021, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 127 - 132, 31.03.2021

Şeyda Sancar , Nevin Atalay Güzel , Gamze Çobanoğlu , Yaprak Özdemir , Merih Bayram

https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.744603

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in static balance during the three trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods: Nineteen pregnant women who were in the first trimester of pregnancy were included in the study. The static balance assessment of the pregnant women was performed with Biodex-BioSwayTM Balance System. The balance was assessed with the Postural Stability Test, Limits of Stability Test (LOS) and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB). Measurements were repeated during the 1st trimester (10-12 weeks), the 2nd trimester (22-24 weeks) and the 3rd trimester (34th week) of the same pregnant women.

Results: There was no significant difference between trimesters in terms of the postural stability test (p>0.05). It was determined that there was a difference between the 3 trimesters in the LOS scores of the pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the LOS in the last trimester compared to the first trimester. According to the mCTSIB, there was only a difference between the three trimesters in the eyes closed firm surface parameter (p<0.05). Oscillations were higher in the third trimester than in the second trimester.

Conclusion: As a result of this study, which underlines the importance of evaluating static balance by follow-up of the same pregnant women during three trimesters, it is seen that there are changes in different parameters of balance. Considering the differences in the sub-parameters of balance in pregnant women; multi-directional evaluation involving different parameters may be beneficial when evaluating balances.

Keywords

pregnant, static balance, postural stability, limit of stability, modified sensory test

References

• 1. Soma-Pillay, P., et al., Physiological changes in pregnancy. Cardiovascular journal of Africa, 2016. 27(2): p. 89.
• 2. Jang, J., K.T. Hsiao, and E.T. Hsiao-Wecksler, Balance (perceived and actual) and preferred stance width during pregnancy. Clinical biomechanics, 2008. 23(4): p. 468-476.
• 3. Norwitz, E., et al., Obstetrics; normal and problem pregnancies. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 4th ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 2002: p. 353-394.
• 4. Jensen, R., S. Doucet, and T. Treitz, Changes in segment mass and mass distribution during pregnancy. Journal of biomechanics, 1996. 29(2): p. 251-256.
• 5. Opala-Berdzik, A., et al., Static postural stability in women during and after pregnancy: a prospective longitudinal study. PloS one, 2015. 10(6).
• 6. Bivia-Roig, G., J.F. Lisón, and D. Sanchez-Zuriaga, Changes in trunk posture and muscle responses in standing during pregnancy and postpartum. PloS one, 2018. 13(3).
• 7. Opala-Berdzik, A., et al., The influence of pregnancy on the location of the center of gravity in standing position. Journal of Human Kinetics, 2010. 26: p. 5-11.
• 8. Marnach, M.L., et al., Characterization of the relationship between joint laxity and maternal hormones in pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2003. 101(2): p. 331-335.
• 9. Cakmak, B., A.P. Ribeiro, and A. Inanir, Postural balance and the risk of falling during pregnancy. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2016. 29(10): p. 1623-1625.
• 10. Ma, J., et al., Effects of sleep deprivation on human postural control, subjective fatigue assessment and psychomotor performance. Journal of international medical research, 2009. 37(5): p. 1311-1320.
• 11. Hinman, M.R., Factors affecting reliability of the Biodex Balance System: a summary of four studies. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 2000. 9(3): p. 240-252.
• 12. Ribas, S. and E. Guirro, Analysis of plantar pressure and postural balance during different phases of pregnancy. Revista Brasileira de Fisioterapia, 2007. 11(5): p. 391-396.
• 13. Ribeiro, A.P., S.M.A. João, and I.C.N. Sacco, Static and dynamic biomechanical adaptations of the lower limbs and gait pattern changes during pregnancy. Women’s Health, 2013. 9(1): p. 99-108.
• 14. Moccellin, A. and P. Driusso, Adjustments in static and dynamic postural control during pregnancy and their relationship with quality of life: A descriptive study. Fisioterapia, 2012. 34(5): p. 196-202.
• 15. Oliveira, L.F., et al., Postural sway changes during pregnancy: a descriptive study using stabilometry. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2009. 147(1): p. 25-28.
• 16. Bey, M.E., A. Arampatzis, and K. Legerlotz, The effect of a maternity support belt on static stability and posture in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Journal of biomechanics, 2018. 75: p. 123-128.
• 17. Nashner, L. Sensory, neuromuscular, and biomechanical contributions to human balance. in Proceeding of APTA Forum, Tennessee, 1989.
• 18. Butler, E.E., et al., Postural equilibrium during pregnancy: decreased stability with an increased reliance on visual cues. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2006. 195(4): p. 1104-1108.
• 19. McCrory, J., et al., Dynamic postural stability during advancing pregnancy. Journal of biomechanics, 2010. 43(12): p. 2434-2439.
• 20. Cakmak, B., et al., The effect of maternity support belts on postural balance in pregnancy. PM&R, 2014. 6(7): p. 624-628.
• 21. Inanir, A., et al., Evaluation of postural equilibrium and fall risk during pregnancy. Gait & posture, 2014. 39(4): p. 1122-1125.