Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy as Part of the Postpartum Care Continuum

ConditionsPostpartumPregnancy Related
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18-44
SponsorBrooke Army Medical Center

About this trial

Data shows us that injury risk increases in the first year postpartum. There is a paucity of literature regarding MSK injuries in postpartum military women. A unique challenge that postpartum service members face is the increased stress of training for and having to pass a physical fitness test directly tied to their career advancement.

While there is epidemiological data across multiple branches of service, there is a gap in the literature in terms of how to appropriately address these decreased fitness levels and better understand the root causes. American College of Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that the postpartum visit include actionable information on return to physical activity. However, a large majority of women report receiving no guidance on how to engage in physical activity during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.

Physical therapy is commonly used to help individuals return to physical activity following orthopaedic surgeries, but it is not frequently utilized to assist the postpartum population in progressing back to physical activity. Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (OMPTs) are uniquely trained to address musculoskeletal symptoms and progress physical activity. An OMPT evaluation and treatment could facilitate increased physical activity and improve health-related quality of life, supporting the ACOG recommendation to make postpartum care an ongoing multidisciplinary process.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Female Active-Duty Service Member

Postpartum >6 weeks and <6 months

Cleared by OBGYN at postpartum follow-up to initiate physical activity

Disqualifiers

Current or ongoing treatment by an orthopaedic physical therapist

Separating from military service in the next 6 months

Current permanent profile for a musculoskeletal condition

Peripartum Hysterectomy

Trial design

Design model

Single group

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy

    Other intervention

    Individualized Treatment

Treatment groups

58 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group
Group A: Postpartum Study ParticipantExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF36)

The 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF 36) is the most widely used quality of life tool in the postpartum population. The lowest score on each subscale is zero and the highest score on each subscale is 100. A higher score is better.

Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

International Physical Activity Questionnaire- Short Form (IPAQ)

We will use the International physical activity questionnaire short form to assess physical activity level. The lowest score is zero and the highest score is not identified although scores over 16 hours of physical activity per day should be excluded as an outlier. A higher score is better.

Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks
2

Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be used to measure pain.The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 10. A lower score is better.

Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks
3

Cozean Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Protocol

Orthopaedic physical therapists should utilize the Cozean protocol to screen which patients need a pelvic floor rehab referral following the DHA practice recommendation for Pelvic Health and Postpartum Rehabilitation Services. The lowest score is zero and highest score is 10. A higher score does not indicate more dysfunction. A cutoff of 3 is applied to indicate a referral is needed for pelvic floor physical therapy.

Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks
4

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

This tool will be used in accordance with the DHA Practice Recommendation for Behavioral Health Screening and Referral in Pregnancy and Postpartum at the initial evaluation to screen for depression in postpartum patients. The lowest score is zero and highest score is thirty. A higher score is worse and indicates need for behavioral health referral.

Time frame
Baseline

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Brooke Army Medical Center

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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