Effects of Upper Back Strengthening and Postural Correction in Pregnant Females With Costal Rib Pain

1\. Study will be a Non-Randomized clinical trial to check the effects of upper back strengthening and postural correction on pain, functional status and sleep quality in females with costal rib pain in 3rd trimester of pregnancy so that we can devise a treatment protocol for females during pregnancy suffering from costal rib pain. Duration of study was 6 months, Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used, subject following eligibility criteria from Avicenna Hospital were allocated in two groups, baseline assessment was done, Group A participants were given baseline treatment along with upper back strengthening and postural correction exercises, Group B participants were given baseline treatment along with no other specific treatment for 3 weeks. On 6th and 12th day, post intervention assessment was done via, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Patient Specific Functional Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. 3 sessions per week were given, data was analyzed by using SPSS version 26.

Costal rib pain is very common in pregnancy, especially during the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40). After excluding other serious conditions, this condition can also be diagnosed as intercostal myalgia, costochondritis or muscular strain. There are a lot of causes which can result in costal rib pain such as ribs flaring, hormonal changes, increase in the breast size, inflammation of the ribs cartilage and the stretch on intercostal muscles. It can thus result in pain and discomfort due to which the pregnant females find it difficult to sleep at night and also have functional limitations. The prevalence rate of upper back and costal rib pain in pregnancy is almost 47%. The findings of this study can help physiotherapists to manage the costal rib pain in pregnancy more effectively. This will add valuable knowledge to provide the patients with non-invasive and non-pharmacological options for management of costal rib pain. There are different structured program with exercises for flexibility, balance and strengthening for the majority of skeletal muscles specifically for the spinal ones, between the 24th and 36th week of pregnancy. Strengthening exercises centered on the trunk reduce pain, improve Quality of life and Physical health in late pregnancy and at two months in the postpartum period. Strengthening exercises also ease the delivery. Upper back strengthening will involve exercises with light-to-moderate load of free weights (body weight or resistance bands) or with stability ball. Postural correction will involve maintaining the correct posture. Soft tissue mobilization, chest muscle stretch, trunk muscle stretch and diaphragmatic breathing exercises were incorporated as baseline exercises in both groups.