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hosseini P S, Lenjannejadian S, Sadeghi Demneh E. Effects of Pelvic Belt on Pain, Catastrophizing, Muscle Activity, and Function in Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain: A Randomized Trial. Arch Rehabil 2026; 27 (3) :544-563
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3767-en.html

Objective Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PRPP) is a common problem during pregnancy that may be accompanied by functional limitations and have psychological consequences. Despite the widespread use of pelvic belts in managing this condition, evidence on their effects on cognitive dimensions of pain and muscle activity remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pelvic belt use on pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pelvic girdle function, and selected muscle activity in pregnant women with PRPP.
Materials & Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 35 Iranian pregnant women with PRPP (Mean age: 36.70±7.90 years, mean weight: 71.43±10.85 kg) were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=17) and the control group (n=18). The intervention group used a pelvic belt during activity for 14 days, whereas the control group received routine care and an educational booklet. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS); pain catastrophizing was assessed using the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS); pelvic girdle function was assessed using the pelvic girdle questionnaire (PGQ); and the activity of the multifidus, gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and internal oblique muscles was assessed using surface electromyography (EMG). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Results After 14 days of intervention, pain intensity decreased significantly in the pelvic belt group compared with the control group (P=0.005). Significant improvements were also observed in rumination (P=0.001), magnification (P=0.004), and total PCS score (P=0.005), as well as the scores of the PGQ activity (P<0.001) and symptom (P=0.001) domains, as well as the total PGQ score (P=0.001). The changes in the PCS domain of helplessness were not significant (P>0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed in the EMG activity of the selected muscles (P>0.05).
Conclusion Short-term use of a pelvic belt can reduce pain intensity and improve pelvic girdle function and some dimensions of pain catastrophizing in pregnant women with PRPP, but its effects on EMG activity of the selected muscles are not significant. These findings support the use of a pelvic belt as a conservative and low-cost intervention in the PRPP management.