Immediate effects of mental movement exercises on pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic pain
Acute Effects of Motor Imagery Exercises in Individuals With Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain
This project will try a single session of motor imagery (mental movement) exercises to see if it eases lower back and pelvic pain in people who are pregnant.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | KTO Karatay University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Konya, Karatay) |
| Trial ID | NCT07516743 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares a single session of motor imagery exercises with a placebo motor imagery exercise in people with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. Participants between 12 and 40 weeks of a singleton, uncomplicated pregnancy who can follow motor imagery instructions will receive one session and have pain and motor imagery outcomes measured before and after the session. People with chronic pre-pregnancy back pain, neuropathic or structural causes of pain, or medical restrictions on exercise or positioning are excluded. The primary focus is on acute, immediate changes in pain and motor imagery ability following the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people (12–40 weeks) with new-onset lumbopelvic pain during a singleton, uncomplicated pregnancy who can understand and follow motor imagery instructions.
Not a fit: People whose back pain began before pregnancy, who have neuropathic or structural causes of pain, serious neurological/metabolic/orthopedic disorders, or medical restrictions on exercise or positioning are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a quick, non-drug way to reduce pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic pain and improve motor imagery ability.
How similar studies have performed: Small prior studies have shown motor imagery can help some musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions, but its use specifically for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is relatively novel and not widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be in a singleton, uncomplicated pregnancy. * Lumbopelvic pain (lower back or pelvic girdle pain) must have begun during pregnancy. * Be between the 12th and 40th weeks of pregnancy. * Be capable of understanding motor imagery training and following instructions. Exclusion Criteria: * A history of chronic lower back pain present before pregnancy and persisting during pregnancy. * Symptoms of neuropathic lower back pain (e.g., radiculopathy), inflammatory conditions such as tumors, infections, compression fractures, or ankylosing spondylitis that are specific causes of lower back or pelvic pain, a history of previous spinal or pelvic surgery, * Severe neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, or severe orthopedic conditions, * Medical restrictions that prevent exercise or maintaining certain positions (e.g., lying on the back).
Where this trial is running
Konya, Karatay
- KTO Karatay University — Konya, Karatay, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hasan Gerçek, PhD
- Email: hasangercek42@gmail.com
- Phone: +905426488455
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.