The Changes in Balance During Pregnancy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in static balance during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: Nineteen pregnant women who were in the first trimester of pregnancy were included in the study. The static balance assessment of the pregnant women was performed with Biodex-BioSwayTM Balance System. The balance was assessed with the Postural Stability Test, Limits of Stability Test (LOS) and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB). Measurements were repeated during the 1st trimester (10-12 weeks), the 2nd trimester (22-24 weeks) and the 3rd trimester (34th week) of the same pregnant women. Results: There was no significant difference between trimesters in terms of the postural stability test (p>0.05). It was determined that there was a difference between the 3 trimesters in the LOS scores of the pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the LOS in the last trimester compared to the first trimester. According to the mCTSIB, there was only a difference between the three trimesters in the eyes closed firm surface parameter (p<0.05). Oscillations were higher in the third trimester than in the second trimester. Conclusion: As a result of this study, which underlines the importance of evaluating static balance by follow-up of the same pregnant women during three trimesters, it is seen that there are changes in different parameters of balance. Considering the differences in the sub-parameters of balance in pregnant women; multi-directional evaluation involving different parameters may be beneficial when evaluating balances.