ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT04226716PROFitUpdated Mar 3, 2026

The Role of Proprioceptive Deficits, Psychosocial Factors and Inflammation in Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain

An interventional study of Assessment of postural control, body perception, psychosocial factors and inflammation in Pelvic Girdle Pain and Low Back Pain, sponsored by Hasselt University. Recruiting at 1 site in Belgium. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-03.

Sponsored by Hasselt University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Diagnostic

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jun 2020; still recruiting 6 years 5 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
192
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 40 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

A large proportion of pregnant women develop pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain (PPGP), which often does not recover spontaneously postpartum. As a result, 10% of women with PPGP are thus crucial. However, the underlying mechanisms of PPGP are still poorly understood. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether lumbar proprioceptive deficits, a disturbed body perception at the lumbar spine, psychosocial factors (incl. pain-related fear of movement, depression, anxiety and stress) and increased serum concentrations of specific inflammatory mediators are associated with (1) a reduced postural control and (2) the development and/or persistence of PPGP in multiparous women during the first and third trimester of pregnancy, and six weeks and six months postpartum.

02

Conditions studied

  • Pelvic Girdle Pain
  • Low Back Pain

Keywords

  • Postural control
  • Body perception
  • Psychosocial factors
  • Inflammation
03

In context

Pelvic Girdle Pain

63 studies on the registry are indexed under Pelvic Girdle Pain; 14 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 192 is above the median of 53 across 45 interventional studies indexed under Pelvic Girdle Pain.

Browse Pelvic Girdle Pain studies →

Lead sponsor

Hasselt University is the lead sponsor of 204 studies on the registry; 31 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 40 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria Multiparous Women:

  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Pregnant of second child or more than second child
  • No current PPGP or did not have PPGP during current pregnancy
  • Willing to provide written

Exclusion Criteria Multiparous Women:

  • Pregnant for more than 16 weeks
  • Having current PPGP or having had PPGP during the current pregnancy
  • History of surgery/major trauma to spine or pelvis
  • Surgery/physical trauma to the lower limbs more than two years ago and currently still experiencing symptoms such as pain, instability, or stiffness
  • Surgery/physical trauma to the lower limbs less than two years ago
  • Specific balance or vestibular disorders
  • A medical diagnosis of a rheumatic condition or being under treatment for such a condition by a rheumatologist
  • Neurological abnormalities (e.g., peripheral neuropathy)
  • Uncorrected visual problems
  • Acute ankle problems
  • Being on absolute or relative bed rest due to pregnancy-related complications
  • Having (had) a formal diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder
  • Non-Dutch speaking

Inclusion Criteria Nulliparous Women:

  • Age- and - matched to pregnant participants
  • Nulliparous
  • Willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria Nulliparous Women:

  • Having low back or pelvic girdle pain at the time of inclusion or in the six months leading up to inclusion
  • History of chronic low back or pelvic girdle pain
  • History of surgery/major trauma to spine, pelvis and/or lower limbs,
  • Specific balance or vestibular disorders
  • Spinal deformities
  • Rheumatic disease
  • Neurological abnormalities
  • Acute ankle problems
  • (A history of) psychiatric disorders
  • Uncorrected visual problems
  • Non-Dutch speaking
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(2)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

BMI (body mass index)

Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.

What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Diagnostic
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
192 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Other
    Multiparous, pregnant women

    Multiparous women are followed over time and measurements are performed during the first and third pregnancy trimester, and six weeks and six months postpartum.

    Behavioral: Assessment of postural control, body perception, psychosocial factors and inflammation

  • Other
    Nulliparous women

    Nulliparous women are measured at one timepoint and their data are compared to the data of the multiparous women. Nulliparous women who take part in the reliability study are measured twice.

    Behavioral: Assessment of postural control, body perception, psychosocial factors and inflammation

Interventions

  • BehavioralAssessment of postural control, body perception, psychosocial factors and inflammation

    Behavioral assessment of postural control, lumbar proprioceptive use during postural control, back-specific body perception, psychosocial factors (incl. perceived harmfulness of daily activities, pain-related fear of movement, fear-avoidance beliefs, (pregnancy-related) depression, anxiety and stress, optimism/pessimism, pain coping and coping with stressful life events) and inflammatory mediators

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) during third gestational trimester (multiparous women)

    The presence of PPGP in the last month will be questioned. PPGP will be defined as: "self-reported pain in the lumbar area, between the twelfth rib and the gluteal fold, with or without pain between the posterior iliac crest and the gluteal fold, particularly in the vicinity of the sacroiliac joints that may radiate in the posterior thigh and could occur separately or in conjunction with pain in the symphysis pubis"

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38)

  2. Pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) at six weeks postpartum (multiparous women)

    The presence of PPGP in the last two weeks will be questioned. PPGP will be defined as: "self-reported pain in the lumbar area, between the twelfth rib and the gluteal fold, with or without pain between the posterior iliac crest and the gluteal fold, particularly in the vicinity of the sacroiliac joints that may radiate in the posterior thigh and could occur separately or in conjunction with pain in the symphysis pubis"

    Time frame: Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum)

  3. Pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) at six months postpartum (multiparous women)

    The presence of PPGP in the last two weeks will be questioned. PPGP will be defined as: "self-reported pain in the lumbar area, between the twelfth rib and the gluteal fold, with or without pain between the posterior iliac crest and the gluteal fold, particularly in the vicinity of the sacroiliac joints that may radiate in the posterior thigh and could occur separately or in conjunction with pain in the symphysis pubis"

    Time frame: Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  4. Postural control during first gestational trimester (multiparous women)

    Upright standing balance control will be measured as center-of-pressure displacements with a force plate.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  5. Postural control during third gestational trimester (multiparous women)

    Upright standing balance control will be measured as center-of-pressure displacements with a force plate.

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38)

  6. Postural control (nulliparous women)

    Upright standing balance control will be measured as center-of-pressure displacements with a force plate.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion), (Timepoint 2 (1 - 2 weeks after Timepoint 1))

Secondary outcomes

  1. Disability due to PPGP with the Modified Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (MDQ) (multiparous women)

    The MDQ quantifies the extent of functional limitation in daily life due to low back pain: 10 items, total score range 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate higher levels of disability.

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  2. Disability due to low back pain with the Modified Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (MDQ) (nulliparous women)

    The MDQ quantifies the extent of functional limitation in daily life due to low back pain: 10 items, total score range 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate higher levels of disability.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  3. Disability due to PPGP with the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) (multiparous women)

    The QBPDS assesses disability in individuals with low back pain and PPGP: 20 items, total score range 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate higher levels of disability.

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  4. Pain intensity of PPGP with Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (multiparous women)

    Pain intensity will be rated on the NPRS that ranges from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("the worst pain imaginable").

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  5. Pain location of PPGP with a body chart (multiparous women)

    Individuals with PPGP will indicate the pain locations on a body chart.

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  6. Current body weight (multiparous women)

    Current body weight will be measured (kg)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  7. Current body weight (nulliparous women)

    Current body weight will be measured (kg)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  8. Current body composition (multiparous women)

    Current body composition will be measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  9. Proprioceptive use during postural control (multiparous women)

    Center-of-pressure displacements in response to ankle muscle and lower back muscle vibration (60 Hz, 15s) during upright standing will be measured with a force plate.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38)

  10. Proprioceptive use during postural control (nulliparous women)

    Center-of-pressure displacements in response to ankle muscle and lower back muscle vibration (60 Hz, 15s) during upright standing will be measured with a force plate.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion), Timepoint 2 (1-2 weeks after Timepoint 1)

  11. Body perception at the lumbar spine will be assessed with a laterality recognition task ("Recognise Back" app) (multiparous women)

    During the laterality recognition task, participants view 40 pictures of a model that has its lower back bent or rotated to the left or the right side. They will be asked to judge the direction of movement as quickly and accurately as possible. Average speed (in seconds) of response time and average accuracy of the answers (in %) will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  12. Body perception at the lumbar spine will be assessed with a laterality recognition task ("Recognise Back" app) (nulliparous women)

    During the laterality recognition task, participants view 40 pictures of a model that has its lower back bent or rotated to the left or the right side. They will be asked to judge the direction of movement as quickly and accurately as possible. Average speed (in seconds) of response time and average accuracy of the answers (in %) will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion), Timepoint 2 (1-2 weeks after Timepoint 1)

  13. Body perception at the lumbar spine will be assessed with the Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) (multiparous women)

    The FreBAQ assesses back-specific body perception: 9 items, total score range 0 - 45. Higher score indicate a more disturbed body perception.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  14. Body perception at the lumbar spine will be assessed with the Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) (nulliparous women)

    The FreBAQ assesses back-specific body perception: 9 items, total score range 0 - 45. Higher score indicate a more disturbed body perception.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  15. Pain-related fear of movement with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) (multiparous women)

    The TSK evaluates fear of movement and pain-related fear: 17 items, total score range 17 - 68. Higher scores indicate higher levels of pain-related fear of movement.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  16. Pain-related fear of movement with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) (nulliparous women)

    The TSK evaluates fear of movement and pain-related fear: 17 items, total score range 17 - 68. Higher scores indicate higher levels of pain-related fear of movement.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  17. Perceived harmfulness of specific physical activities with the Photograph Series of Daily Activities - Short Electronic Version (PhoDA-SEV) (multiparous women)

    During the PhoDA-SEV, participants view 40 pictures of daily life activities. They will be asked to imagine themselves performing the depicted activity and to indicate to which extent they believe that the activity is harmful to their back on a scale from 0 ("not harmful at all") to 100 ("extremely harmful"): 40 items, total score range 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate a higher perceived harmfulness of physical activities.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  18. Perceived harmfulness of specific physical activities with the Photograph Series of Daily Activities - Short Electronic Version (PhoDA-SEV) (nulliparous women)

    During the PhoDA-SEV, participants view 40 pictures of daily life activities. They will be asked to imagine themselves performing the depicted activity and to indicate to which extent they believe that the activity is harmful to their back on a scale from 0 ("not harmful at all") to 100 ("extremely harmful"): 40 items, total score range 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate a higher perceived harmfulness of physical activities.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  19. Fear avoidance beliefs with the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) (multiparous women)

    The FABQ consists of 16 statements for which the participant rates her agreement with the statement on a scale from 0 ("completely disagree") to 6 ("completely agree"): 16 items, total score range 0 - 96). Higher scores indicate that poorer fear avoidance beliefs are held.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  20. Fear avoidance beliefs with the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) (nulliparous women)

    The FABQ consists of 16 statements for which the participant rates her agreement with the statement on a scale from 0 ("completely disagree") to 6 ("completely agree"): 16 items, total score range 0 - 96). Higher scores indicate that poorer fear avoidance beliefs are held.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  21. Catastrophic thinking related to pain with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) (multiparous women)

    The PCS contains 13 statements on thoughts and emotions possibly related to the experience of pain, for which the participants rates her agreement: 13 items, total score range 0 - 52. Higher scores indicate higher levels of pain catastrophizing.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  22. Catastrophic thinking related to pain with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) (nulliparous women)

    The PCS contains 13 statements on thoughts and emotions possibly related to the experience of pain, for which the participants rates her agreement: 13 items, total score range 0 - 52. Higher scores indicate higher levels of pain catastrophizing.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  23. Pregnancy-related depression with the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) (multiparous women)

    The EDS evaluates perinatal depression: 10 items, total score range 0 - 30. Higher scores indicate higher levels of pregnancy-related depression.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  24. Pregnancy-related anxiety with the Revised Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R2) (multiparous women)

    The PRAQ-R2 evaluates pregnancy-related anxiety: 10 items, total score range 10 - 50. Higher scores indicate higher levels of pregnancy-related anxiety.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  25. Pregnancy-related stress with the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (TPDS) (multiparous women)

    The TPDS assesses pregnancy-related distress: 16 items, total score range 0 - 48). Higher scores indicate higher levels of pregnancy-related stress.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  26. Depression, anxiety and stress in general with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) (multiparous women)

    The DASS-21 evaluates depressive mood, anxiety and stress in general: 21 items, total score per subscale (Depression, Stress, Anxiety) range 0 - 21. Higher scores indicate higher levels of depressive mood (DASS-21-Depression), anxiety (DASS-21-Anxiety) and stress (DASS-21-Stress).

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  27. Depression, anxiety and stress in general with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) (nulliparous women)

    The DASS-21 evaluates depressive mood, anxiety and stress in general: 21 items, total score per subscale (Depression, Stress, Anxiety) range 0 - 21. Higher scores indicate higher levels of depressive mood (DASS-21-Depression), anxiety (DASS-21-Anxiety) and stress (DASS-21-Stress).

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  28. Negative and positive affect, hedonic tone and independent variables (including cognitive and overall functioning, meaningful life and happiness) with the Leuven Affect Pleasure Scale (LAPS) (multiparous women)

    The LAPS comprehensively evaluates negative and positive affect, hedonic tone and independent variables (including cognitive and overall functioning, meaningful life and happiness): 16 items. It contains three subscores, which are calculated by adding the score on items 1-4 (Negative Affect), items 5-8 (Positive Affect) and items 9-12 (Hedonic Tone). Negative Affect subscale: 4 items, score range 0 - 40, higher scores indicate higher levels of negative affect. Positive Affect subscale: 4 items, score range 0 - 40, higher scores indicate higher levels of positive affect. Hedonic Tone subscale: 3 items, total score range 0 - 30, higher scores indicate higher levels of hedonic tone.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  29. Negative and positive affect, hedonic tone and independent variables (including cognitive and overall functioning, meaningful life and happiness) with the Leuven Affect Pleasure Scale (LAPS) (nulliparous women)

    The LAPS comprehensively evaluates negative and positive affect, hedonic tone and independent variables (including cognitive and overall functioning, meaningful life and happiness): 16 items. It contains three subscores, which are calculated by adding the score on items 1-4 (Negative Affect), items 5-8 (Positive Affect) and items 9-12 (Hedonic Tone). Negative Affect subscale: 4 items, score range 0 - 40, higher scores indicate higher levels of negative affect. Positive Affect subscale: 4 items, score range 0 - 40, higher scores indicate higher levels of positive affect. Hedonic Tone subscale: 3 items, total score range 0 - 30, higher scores indicate higher levels of hedonic tone.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  30. Generalized anxiety with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorders scale (GAD-7) (multiparous women)

    The GAD-7 evaluates generalized anxiety: 7 items, total score range 0 - 21.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  31. Generalized anxiety with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorders scale (GAD-7) (nulliparous women)

    The GAD-7 evaluates generalized anxiety: 7 items, total score range 0 - 21.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  32. The emotional bond between mother and child with the Maternal Antenatal/Postpartum Attachment Scale (MAAS/MPAS).

    The MAAS evaluates the emotional bond between mother and child antenatally, while the MPAS assesses this bond postnatally: 19 items, total score range 0 - 95

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  33. Pain coping strategies with the Pain Coping Inventory (PCI) (multiparous women)

    The PCI evaluates whether one uses passive or active coping strategies: 34 items, total score range 0 - 100

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  34. Pain coping strategies with the Pain Coping Inventory (PCI) (nulliparous women)

    The PCI evaluates whether one uses passive or active coping strategies: 34 items, total score range 0 - 100

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  35. Optimism and pessimism with the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) (multiparous women)

    The LOT-R contains 10 items: 3 evaluating optimism, 3 evaluating pessimism and 4 filler items, total score range on each subscale (optimism, pessimism) 0 - 12.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  36. Optimism and pessimism with the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) (nulliparous women)

    The LOT-R contains 10 items: 3 evaluating optimism, 3 evaluating pessimism and 4 filler items, total score range on each subscale (optimism, pessimism) 0 - 12.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  37. The ability to cope in a stressful situation with the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) (multiparous women)

    The SOC-13 contains 13 items, total score ranges 0 - 91

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  38. The ability to cope in a stressful situation with the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) (nulliparous women)

    The SOC-13 contains 13 items, total score ranges 0 - 91

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  39. Pain frequency of PPGP (multiparous women)

    Pain frequency will be assessed with the question: 'How often do you experience pain?' Response options will include: Some days (1), Most days (2), and Every day (3).

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  40. Health-related quality of life with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (multiparous women)

    The SF-36 evaluates health-related quality of life, 8 scales: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. Scores for the different scales are converted and pooled using a scoring key, for a total score ranging 0 - 100

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  41. Health-related quality of life with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (nulliparous women)

    The SF-36 evaluates health-related quality of life, 8 scales: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. Scores for the different scales are converted and pooled using a scoring key, for a total score ranging 0 - 100

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  42. Inflammation with blood samples (multiparous women)

    Serum concentrations of inflammatory mediators will be measured in a blood sample.

    Time frame: Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

Other outcomes

  1. Diagnostic clinical tests for PPGP (multiparous women)

    The following pain provocation tests for PPGP will be performed: thigh thrust and trendelenburg test. A score of 1 will be assigned to each test that provokes the participants' pain, a score of 0 will be assigned to each test that does not provoke the pain. All scores will be combined into one overall score.

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  2. Ability to transfer load between the spine and the legs via the pelvis with active straight leg raise test (ASLR) (multiparous women)

    The participant will perform the ASLR test in supine lying: she will be asked to lift one leg 20 cm off the bed, and a score between 0 and 5 will be assigned depending on the difficulty experienced (0= "not difficult at all, 1= minimally difficult, 2= somewhat difficult, 3 = fairly difficult, 4= very difficult, 5= unable to do).

    Time frame: Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  3. Sociodemographic information: age (multiparous women)

    The age of the participant will be noted (in years)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  4. Sociodemographic information: age (nulliparous women)

    The age of the participant will be noted (in years)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  5. Sociodemographic information: annual household income (multiparous women)

    Annual household income will be questioned (in Euro)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  6. Sociodemographic information: annual household income (nulliparous women)

    Annual household income will be questioned (in Euro)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  7. Sociodemographic information: marital status (multiparous women)

    Marital status be questioned (single, married/registered partnership)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  8. Sociodemographic information: marital status (nulliparous women)

    Marital status be questioned (single, married/registered partnership)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  9. Sociodemographic information: educational level (multiparous women)

    The highest degree obtained will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  10. Sociodemographic information: educational level (nulliparous women)

    The highest degree obtained will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  11. Sociodemographic information: current profession (multiparous women)

    The current profession will be recorded, as well as the type of work (sedentary work, manual work, heavy work)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  12. Sociodemographic information: current profession (nulliparous women)

    The current profession will be recorded, as well as the type of work (sedentary work, manual work, heavy work)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  13. Number of previous pregnancies (multiparous women)

    The number of previous pregnancies will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  14. Number of previous child deliveries (multiparous women)

    The number of previous child deliveries will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  15. Number of stillbirths and live births (multiparous women)

    The number of stillbirths and live births will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  16. Number of previous miscarriages (multiparous women)

    The number of previous miscarriages will be recorded.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  17. Job status (multiparous women)

    Job status will be recorded (i.e., working full-time, working part-time, in sick leave)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  18. Sick Leave (multiparous women)

    In case of sick leave, we will ask whether this is pregnancy-related or not, and the total number of sick leave days will be noted.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  19. Job status (nulliparous women)

    Job status will be recorded (i.e., working full-time, working part-time, in sick leave)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  20. Sick Leave (nulliparous women)

    In case of sick leave, we will ask whether this is pregnancy-related or not, and the total number of sick leave days will be noted.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  21. Tobacco use (multiparous women)

    Smoking habits will be questioned by using the following categories: every day smoker (smokes now and smokes every day), someday smoker (smokes now, but not every day), former smoker (has quit smoking), never smoker

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  22. Tobacco use (nulliparous women)

    Smoking habits will be questioned by using the following categories: every day smoker (smokes now and smokes every day), someday smoker (smokes now, but not every day), former smoker (has quit smoking), never smoker

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  23. Alcohol use (multiparous women)

    Alcohol use will be questioned by using the following categories: every day drinker (drinks now and drinks every day), someday drinker (drinks now, but not everyday), former drinker (has quit drinking now), never drinker.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  24. Alcohol use (nulliparous women)

    Alcohol use will be questioned by using the following categories: every day drinker (drinks now and drinks every day), someday drinker (drinks now, but not everyday), former drinker (has quit drinking now), never drinker.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  25. Habitual physical activity (multiparous women)

    Habitual physical activity will be questioned using the following categories: no physical activity, physical activity, but less than recommended (\<150min moderate intensity/week), physical activity, as recommended.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  26. Habitual physical activity (nulliparous women)

    Habitual physical activity will be questioned using the following categories: no physical activity, physical activity but less than recommended (\<150min moderate intensity/week), physical activity as recommended.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  27. Subjective sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (multiparous women)

    The PSQI assesses sleep quality over the past month: 19 items, global sleep quality scores range 0 - 21

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  28. Subjective sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (nulliparous women)

    The PSQI assesses sleep quality over the past month: 19 items, global sleep quality scores range 0 - 21

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  29. Height (multiparous women)

    Height will be measured and reported in cm.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  30. Height (nulliparous women)

    Height will be measured and reported in cm.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion)

  31. Pre-pregnancy body weight (multiparous women)

    Pre-pregnancy body weight will be questioned and reported in kg.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  32. Number of falls during previous pregnancies (multiparous women)

    The number of falls experienced during previous pregnancies will be noted. The following question will be asked: "During your previous pregnancies, did you experience any loss of balance, resulting in a fall where some part of your body--other than your feet--touched the ground?"

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  33. Gestational week during which fall occurred during previous pregnancies (multiparous women)

    If the participant experienced a fall during a previous pregnancy, the gestational week during which the fall(s) occurred will be noted.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  34. Situation during which fall occurred during previous pregnancies

    If the participant experienced a fall during a previous pregnancy, the situation during which the falls occurred will be noted, by using the following categories: trip, slip, during stair ascent, during stair descent, during athletic activity.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  35. Injury severity of falls that occurred during previous pregnancies (multiparous women)

    If the participant experienced a fall during a previous pregnancy, the injury severity associated with the falls will be noted by using the following categories: no injury, mild injury requiring home treatment, major injury requiring medical attention

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  36. Urinary incontinence during previous pregnancies (multiparous women)

    The presence of urinary incontinence during previous pregnancies (yes/no), and the recovery of urinary incontinence postpartum (full, partial, no recovery) will be questioned.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  37. Anal incontinence during previous pregnancies (multiparous women)

    The presence of incontinence for stool and gas during previous pregnancies (yes/no), and the recovery of incontinence for stool and gas postpartum (full, partial, no recovery) will be questioned.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  38. Information on previous deliveries: Date of delivery (multiparous women)

    We will ask whether the previous children date of delivery

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  39. Information on previous deliveries: vaginal delivery or caesarean section (multiparous women)

    We will ask whether the previous deliveries were vaginal deliveries of caesarean sections.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  40. Information on previous deliveries: episiotomy or vaginal tear

    Information on presence of episiotomy (yes/no) and occurrence of vaginal tear (yes/no) in previous deliveries will be collected.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  41. Information on previous deliveries: Assistance of instrument during delivery (multiparous women)

    We will ask whether an instrument was used during the delivery: forceps, vacuum cup,...

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  42. Information on previous deliveries: Assisted reproductive treatment (multiparous women)

    We will ask whether the women are pregnant through assisted reproductive treatment

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  43. Number of falls during current pregnancy or in postpartum period (multiparous women)

    The number of falls experienced during the current pregnancy or postpartum period will be noted. The following question will be asked: "Did you experience any loss of balance, resulting in a fall where some part of your body--other than your feet--touched the ground?"

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  44. Timepoint during which fall occurred during current pregnancy or postpartum period (multiparous women)

    If the participant experienced a fall during or after the current pregnancy, the timepoint during which this fall occurred wil be noted.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  45. Situation during which fall occurred during current pregnancy or postpartum period (multiparous women)

    If the participant experienced a fall during or after the current pregnancy, the situation during which the falls occurred will be noted, by using the following categories: trip, slip, during stair ascent, during stair descent, during athletic activity.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  46. Injury severity of falls that occurred during current pregnancy or postpartum period (multiparous women)

    If the participant experienced a fall during or after the current pregnancy, the injury severity associated with the falls will be noted by using the following categories: no injury, mild injury requiring home treatment, major injury requiring medical attention

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  47. Urinary incontinence during current pregnancy (multiparous women)

    Urinary incontinence will be evaluated with the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). The PFDI-20 contains 20 items, total score range 0 - 300

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38), Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum) and Timepoint 4 (6 months postpartum)

  48. Information on current pregnancy: Assisted reproductive treatment (multiparous women)

    We will ask whether the women are pregnant through assisted reproductive treatment

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  49. Information on current pregnancy: Morning sickness

    We will ask whether the women experience morning sickness during their current pregnancy.

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16)

  50. Information on child delivery: Date of delivery (multiparous women)

    We will ask the date of delivery.

    Time frame: Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum)

  51. Information on child delivery: episiotomy or vaginal tear (multiparous women)

    Information on presence of episiotomy (yes/no) and occurrence of vaginal tear (yes/no) will be collected

    Time frame: Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum)

  52. Information on child delivery: Assistance of instrument during delivery (multiparous women)

    We will ask whether an instrument was used during the delivery: forceps, vacuum cup,...

    Time frame: Timepoint 3 (6 weeks postpartum)

  53. Fear of falling during postural control measurements with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (multiparous women)

    Fear of falling during postural control measurements will be rated after each measurement on the NRS that ranges from 0 ("no fear") to 10 ("the worst fear imaginable").

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (before gestational week 16), Timepoint 2 (between gestational weeks 32-38)

  54. Fear of falling during postural control measurements with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (nulliparous women)

    Fear of falling during postural control measurements will be rated after each measurement on the NRS that ranges from 0 ("no fear") to 10 ("the worst fear imaginable").

    Time frame: Timepoint 1 (within 2 weeks after inclusion), (Timepoint 2 (1 - 2 weeks after Timepoint 1))

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Jun 2020 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Sep 2027, 87 months after the start.

Of 32 interventional studies with no phase under Pelvic Girdle Pain, half reached primary completion within 10 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 59. This study's planned 87 months is above that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jan 5, 2020
First posted
Jan 13, 2020
StartActual
Jun 1, 2020
Primary completionEst.
Sep 30, 2027
CompletionEst.
Sep 30, 2028
Last update
Mar 3, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 3, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04226716
Lead sponsor
Hasselt University
Collaborators
Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg
Responsible party
Lotte Janssens (Professor, Hasselt University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 13, 2020
Start date
Jun 1, 2020
Primary completion
Sep 30, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 30, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Mar 3, 2026

Study contacts

Nina Goossens, PhD, PT
Contact
nina.goossens@uhasselt.be
+3211292174
Lotte Janssens, PhD, PT
Contact
lotte.janssens@uhasselt.be
+3211292174
Lotte Janssens, PhD, PT
principal investigator · Hasselt University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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