When should I wear my Maternity Compression?
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Pelvic Brace For Pregnancy.
You can wear your Motif Pregnancy Support Band anytime from three to nine months during your pregnancy. Motif Postpartum Support Garments are designed for one week to four months postpartum. Compression socks can be worn throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period.
Are there multiple choices of style and color?
Motif Pregnancy Support Bands are available in white. Our Postpartum Recovery Garments come in both a Natural Birth and C-Section option (the difference between the zipper) and both are available in nude.
What are the Compression Products made of?
The Pregnancy Support Band is made of Nylon and Polyester. The Compression Socks are made of a blend of Nylon, Spandex and Polyester. The Post Partum Garment is made of latex-free Nylon and Spandex.
The literature search generated a wide spectrum of reviews, studies, clinical trials, and reports, of which 24 articles were retrieved. 18 articles were excluded, as they were either review studies or the garments of study were used as part of the treatment and not the sole intervention or were carried out after pregnancy or in nonpregnant women.
In total six peer-review studies were used in this review, of which three are trial studies, two are pilot studies, and one is an observational study. Details of the study design, methods of measurement, and outcome measurements from the selected studies are presented in . Three outcome measurements were identified from the studies: alleviation of pain, improvement of balance, and improvement of functionality and mobility.
Low Back Pain. Although there is a variety of terms used to define LBP during pregnancy and unclear diagnostic criteria [12], multiple studies show that LBP is one of the main discomforts experienced by women, with approximately 50% to 80% of the pregnant population affected [3, 4, 6, 30]. It is reported that LBP affects the performance of ADL during pregnancy [3, 31&#;33] and is one of the main causes for working women to take sick leave during pregnancy [34, 35].
There are several presentations of pregnancy-related LBP: Carr [11] in her paper mentioned multiple descriptions of LBP such as high back pain, sacroiliac or posterior pelvic pain, and lumbar pain as the most common of them. Albert, Godskesen [36] identified two broad categories of LBP as pain arising from the area of the lumbar spine and pelvic joint pain manifested distal or lateral to the fifth lumbar vertebra. At the same time, there are many causes attributed to LBP such as increase of weight in a specific body part, alterations in posture, muscle fatigue, hormonal changes, and increase of strain in body structures because of the abdominal weight; however, little validation of the hypotheses regarding the causes is available [37].
A variety of trials investigating nonpharmacological treatments for alleviating LBP have been found using treatments such as exercise, progressive muscle relaxation (PRM), spinal manipulative Therapy (SMT), Kinesio Taping (KT), neuroemotional techniques (NET), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT), Sham Ultrasound (Sham US), and the use of MSGs.
Only two trials were found to use MSGs as a sole intervention treatment using different types of MSGs (belts and full torso garments) and showing positive results for LBP alleviation and improvement of QOL during pregnancy.
Carr's [11] study investigated the reduction in pain scores and the effect of pain in ADL. The study sample was formed by 30 women allocated to the garment group ( ) and 10 women allocated to a nontreatment group, but due to information contamination during the study, a garment was given to the nontreatment group during the second week of the study. The groups were comparable in gestational age, activities levels, and pain scores before intervention. The participants of this study were at least 20 weeks pregnant with self-reported LBP over the previous week and at least a self-reported &#;medium&#; level of pain, with no history of preexisting back pain or disc disease. The participants were asked to wear the garment for two weeks during waking hours.
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Pre- and postintervention tests were applied to measure the intensity and duration of pain and its impact on ADL during pregnancy through the pain in pregnancy (PIP) profile questionnaire. Also, a set of activity-related questions asking about the amount of twisting, bending, lifting, walking, sitting, and standing plus open-ended questions about the acceptability of the garment were applied. The intervention group had significantly fewer days of pain after the two weeks of intervention: t (26)= 3.48 and p=0.001, and significantly fewer hours of pain: t(26)= 3.56 and p=0.001 [11], while the comparison group did not have any significant changes in the pain variables over the time during which they did not use the garment. Although the study showed that the intervention group achieved higher LBP relief based on PIP scores, it did not mention the possible mechanism of action of the garments which may influence its effectiveness, neither the interface pressure induced by the garment to the underlying body part, garment construction (fabric and garment details), nor the garments' fitting guidelines.
The study concluded that although there is a need for further study of the effects of MSGs on LBP alleviation, the use of MSGs can significantly reduce pain scores and effects of LBP in women's lives and it also concluded that MSGs could offer a safe, low-cost, and accessible comfort measure for a large number of women affected by LBP during pregnancy.
A second trial that demonstrated the effectiveness of MSGs for alleviation of LBP is the randomized trial by Kalus, Kornman [12], which evaluated the impact of wearing a MSG on LBP severity associated with functional impairment and satisfaction with life (SWL). The garments used during the study were a full torso garment with straps to the shoulders, made out of polyamide and elastane and with an elastic panel that sits under the abdomen ( ), and &#;Tubigrip&#; ( ), which is an elastic one-piece tubular structure that sits under the breast area and extends under the pelvic area, used as a control garment. [12]. The study mentioned that the correct garment size was given to the participants as well as instructions on how to wear the garments, but they were free to choose the frequency and duration of wear; however, it is not clear how the garment was selected and fitted and how the difference in frequency and length of wear influenced the outcome measurement.
The study analysed results of 94 women who were betweem 20 and 36 weeks pregnant experiencing LBP or posterior pelvic pain (SIJ) based on oral history and the patient's localization of the pain in a visual chart. 46 women were allocated to the garment of study and 48 to the control garment. The groups were comparable in gestational age, activities levels, and pain scores before intervention.
The study was initiated with participants rating the severity of their pain on a VAS scale by measuring its influence in six physical activities (sleeping, getting up from a sitting position, sitting down, walking, and working) through a Likert scale and by an evaluation of life satisfaction using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).
The results showed that the intervention group had a significant reduction of the impact of LBP on sleeping (3.4 versus 4.8; p=0.007), getting up from a sitting position (4.2 versus 5.4; p=0.02), and walking (3.3 versus 5.3; p=0.001) but a low overall impact. The results pointed that both garments showed a significant reduction of the severity of LBP and posterior pain on pregnant women based on VAS scores at baseline and follow-up, but there was no significant change in SWLS scores. There was also less use of analgesic medications by the participants wearing the garment of study compared to the control garment, which infers that the study device was more efficient as a treatment than the control garment. However, the true efficacy of the garments is unclear as some of the participants of both groups used the garment in conjunction with other treatments like physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, yoga, exercise, heat packs, pillows, and bed rest.
The study reported a statistically significant improvement in alleviation of LBP and a reduction of its impact in the performance of ADL by the use of MSGs; however, there are no details of the garments' construction and materials, recommendations on fitting the garments to the specific body part, hours of use, or pressure requirements which may influence the garments' effectiveness.
Pelvic Girdle Pain. PGP is a common complaint during pregnancy. It can be classified into pelvic girdle syndrome (pain in both SIJ and the symphysis pubis), double-sized sacroiliac syndrome (with or without radiation in the sciatic area), and one-sided sacroiliac syndrome (with or without radiation) [12]. The peak of incidence of PGP is 24 to 36 weeks of pregnancy [38] and it affects the performance of ADL during pregnancy [39]. Similar to LBP, PGP causes are not totally understood but the laxity of the sacroiliac joints, lack of stabilization of the region, and biomechanical changes have been mentioned as the main causes of PGP.
Nonpharmacological treatments have been evaluated for alleviation of PGP such as education about body ergonomics and proper body gestures [34, 40], the use of core stabilizing exercises [41], and the use of stabilizing lumbopelvic or sacroiliac belts [30, 38, 40, 42]. It is argued that belts provide pressure that reduce joint's mobility in the pelvic girdle area (sacroiliac and symphyseal) and increase its stability, reducing pain. However, only three studies use MSGs as sole intervention for the alleviation of PGP: Kordi, Abolhasani [21], Flack, Hay-Smith [20], and Bertuit, Van Lint [25]; all of them reporting positive results to PGP alleviation.
The trial by Kordi, Abolhasani [21] studied 105 women between 20 and 32 weeks pregnant with pain in the lumbar region, radiating between the gluteal fold and the posterior iliac crest. The pain was diagnosed based on drawing of the localization of the pain and the results to either Patrick's test or posterior pelvic pain provocation test or a modified Trendelenburg test and direct palpitation of symphysis pubis test. Participants were allocated to 3 different groups: information group that received information about anatomy, body posture and ergonomic advice regarding sitting, walking, and lying; belt plus information group that received the same information as previous group plus a nonrigid lumbopelvic belt of undisclosed style, brand, and features to use during waking times; and information plus a home exercise program group that received the same information as group one plus an exercise program designed to strengthen the pelvic girdle muscles. The groups were comparable at baseline and had follow-up visits at weeks three and six of the study.
The pain intensity measurement in this trial used a validated Persian version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire, a validated Persian version of World Health Organization's QOL Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) which contains four different categories and aspects of QOL including physical health and psychological health as well as social and environmental conditions, and a VAS scale. The study showed a statistically significant decrease in pain scores and ODI scores (p<0.001) by the belt plus information group at three and six weeks of the study compared to the other two groups. It was also shown that the scores of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in the group using the belt were significantly higher than the other two groups in all components but the social category.
This study demonstrated the efficiency of a MSG in the form of a lumbopelvic belt (plus ergonomic information to patients) in alleviation of PGP; however, there is not much information about the type of belt used during the study and the difference between the lumbopelvic and sacroiliac belts mentioned as to understand the potential mechanics of the garments of study and their influence in the therapy's effectiveness.
In a second study, Flack, Hay-Smith [20] focused on the adherence (frequency and duration of use), tolerance (comfort), and effectiveness (symptomatic relief) of two different pelvic belts as sole treatment for pubic symphyseal pain alleviation, which is a distinct subgroup of PGP [43]. The study used a nonrigid belt made of neoprene material ( ) and a rigid belt that is &#;thinner and made of nylon webbing and lined with foam&#; ( ), both worn in &#;low" position. The study involved 20 participants experiencing pubic symphyseal pain for at least two weeks (worse than any concurrent posterior pelvic pain) who responded positively to at least two of the three tests applied: reproduction of pain from palpation, modified Trendelenburg's test, and active straight leg raise test. The study evaluated symphyseal pain intensity, influence on ADL, influence on disability, and joint hypermobility.
The pain intensity assessment was done through a VAS scale, the influence of symphyseal pain on ADL was determined by the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ), the joint hypermobility was measured using a modified nine-point Beighton Hypermobility Score, and the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) was completed to evaluate the influence of pain on disability. All scores were measured at baseline and at the end of week three of study.
Women were randomized to either a nonrigid or rigid belt in comparable groups at baseline, advised on how to use the belt by a physiotherapist and asked to wear it during wake hours. Although the study mentioned that the participants were shown how to use the belts in a low position (over the pubic symphysis), the study does not describe the required compression of the garment to the body part. The participants were interviewed weekly over the as to complete the PSFS and determine adherence and tolerance of the belt. At the same time, participants responded to a daily text message that asked about changes in pain intensity and changes in ability to perform functional activities. After three weeks, the participants were fitted with the alternate belt to wear for one week following the same methodology as with the initially allocated belt.
The results of this study showed a reduction in PSFS scores by 36% in the nonrigid belt group and 34% in the rigid belt group. It showed that rolling over in bed, walking, and getting up from sitting were the activities particularly difficult to perform by women but improved with the use of MSGs. VAS scores were also significantly decreased in both groups (p=0.018) but there was not a significant change in overall MODQ or PSFS scores. Nonrigid belts showed a higher reduction of scores than the rigid belt and were the preferred MSG in terms of comfort. However, the study did not mention the potential mechanisms that influence the garments' effectiveness on alleviating pain and discomfort, neither was there an objective analysis of the comfort properties of the garment and its comprising materials.
Pelvic belts were worn an average of 4.9 ± 2.9 hours per day with no significant difference in hours of wear between groups. Longer periods of use were associated with a greater decrease in VAS scores but not different in PSFS (p=0.546) or MODQ (p=0.096) scores. Although the results are positive for the use of MSGs for alleviation of PGP and improvement in functional mobility, the study does not show a well-defined methodology for garment application (fit, compressive requirements and hours of use) which may influence its effectiveness; also, the sample size was small to generalize results, so there is a need for a larger study to confirm the initial findings.
Finally, the trial by Bertuit, Van Lint [25] focused on the study of the effectiveness of support belts as a sole intervention for alleviation of PGP and improvement of the functional capacity of women during pregnancy. The study used two belts: a narrow and nonrigid belt ( ) and an adjustable wide and rigid belt with metal reinforcements in the lumbar area ( ); however, how the garments were fitted and adjusted to the body and the compression provided to the wearer were not discussed in the study.
The study involved 46 pregnant women from the 18th week of pregnancy, experiencing pain in the SIJs and/or pubic region, who responded positively to at least two of the following tests: posterior pelvic pain provocation test, Patrick Faber's test, Trendelenburg modified test, pain provocation tests, and active straight leg raise test, with 59% of participants presenting concurrent LBP. PGP was experienced by women as deep (63%), diffuse (56%), and irradiating pain (34%) and located at the gluteal region (43%), the iliac crest (43%), the groin (19%), and the pubic area (17%) [25].
The quantitative evaluation of pain was done through the VAS and a qualitative assessment through a topographic representation. The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) was used to assess the functional capacity of women to develop activities such as sitting, walking, and prolonged standing. All measurements were done at the start of the study (T1) and at the 34th week of pregnancy (T2). Women were randomized into two comparable groups: group A that wore a belt and group B that did not. Group A was also randomized into two groups: group of narrow and nonrigid belt and group of wide and rigid belt.
There is no information on how the participants were advised to use the belts (hours and position), but the frequency of use was reported as several times a week by 68% of participants (average of four days a week and 2 hr 30 min/day). The results of this study showed that women wore the belts for daily activities (55%), going out (42%), and gait (37%), with 48% of women reporting decrease in pain and 63% of women reporting feeling increased support. The study reported no significant differences in pain reduction between the two different belts of study; however, the narrow belts group showed a significant decrease in global pain intensity (p<0.001) and pain intensity at the SIJ (p=0.003), while the wider belts group showed a significant decrease of spine pain (p=0.01).
All studies reported reduction of PGP with the use of MSGs; however, the information about the garments' application method, garments' materials and construction, the interface pressure induced by the garments to the underlying body part, garments' pressure distribution, and possible mechanics of action of the garments remains scarce in all studies reviewed.
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