Effect of Combined Electrowarm Dry Needling on Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Abstract

Postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a common complication after childbirth, with limited safe and effective treatment options due to the risks of pharmacological interventions in postpartum women. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined electrowarm dry needling therapy targeting myofascial pain trigger points (MTrPs) for alleviating PGP in postpartum women. A total of 92 postpartum women with PGP were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n = 46) receiving electrowarm dry needling on MTrPs 5x per week for 4 weeks plus standard postpartum care; a control group (n = 46) received only standard postpartum care. The intervention was conducted 5x a week for 4 weeks, with pain assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1/3/7 days post intervention, disability by the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire (OLBPQ), and quality of life by the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) at 1 month and 3-5 months post intervention. Pubic symphysis distance was measured by B-mode ultrasound at follow-up. Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05). The treatment group demonstrated significantly reduced VAS scores at 3 and 7 days post intervention (P = 0.029 and P < 0.001, respectively), and marked improvements in OLBPQ scores at 1 week and 4 weeks (P < 0.001). NHP scores indicated enhanced quality of life in the treatment group, particularly at 3-5 months follow-up (P < 0.001), and the pubic symphysis distance was significantly decreased (P. < 0.01). No serious adverse events were observed in the treatment group, with only two cases of mild local soreness. Combined electrowarm dry needling therapy targeting MTrPs is a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain and disability and improving quality of life in postpartum women with acute PGP in this single-center study.