Table 3 Baseline characteristics of pilot trial participants
Baseline characteristics | Standard care | SC + true acupuncture | SC + non-penetrating acupuncture |
|---|---|---|---|
(n = 41) | (n = 42) | (n = 41) | |
Age (years), mean (SD) | 27.8 (5.4) | 28.1 (5.1) | 29.0 (5.3) |
Highest qualification: degree/postgraduate, n (%) | 13 (31.7) | 14 (33.3) | 18 (43.9) |
Gestation weeks at inclusion: 24+, n (%) | 17 (41.5) | 18 (42.9) | 18 (42.9) |
Married, n (%) | 16 (39.0) | 19 (45.2) | 19 (46.3) |
No. of children, n (%) | |||
 0 | 16 (39.0) | 20 (47.6) | 14 (34.2) |
 1 | 17 (41.5) | 13 (31.0) | 17 (41.5) |
 2 or more | 8 (19.5) | 9 (21.4) | 10 (24.4) |
Working, n (%) | 28 (68.3) | 27 (64.3) | 32 (78.1) |
Physical demands of current/most recent paid job: heavy/very heavy, n (%) | 12 (29.3) | 13 (32.5) | 11 (26.8) |
Taken time off during the current pregnancy because of back paina, n (%) | 8 (28.6) | 9 (33.3) | 15 (46.9) |
Back pain interference with performance at work (0–10 NRS) a, b, mean (SD) | 5.0 (2.5) | 4.9 (2.6) | 5.0 (3.1) |
Work satisfaction (0–10 NRS)a, c, mean (SD) | 6.6 (2.7) | 5.4 (1.9) | 6.6 (2.3) |
Pain location (manikin), n (%) | |||
 Low back pain only | 7 (17.1) | 9 (21.4) | 7 (17.1) |
 Low back pain with anterior PGP | 8 (19.5) | 6 (14.3) | 4 (9.8) |
 LBP with anterior PGP and pain elsewhere | 10 (24.4) | 14 (33.3) | 12 (29.3) |
 LBP and pain elsewhere | 16 (39.0) | 13 (31.0) | 18 (43.9) |
Duration of episode: >6Â weeks, n (%) | 23 (56.1) | 20 (47.2) | 25 (61.0) |
Pain indexd, mean (SD) | 4.5 (1.6) | 4.5 (1.5) | 4.6 (1.8) |
Pain intensity before going to bed, mean (SD) | 6.8 (1.9) | 6.8 (1.8) | 7.0 (2.2) |
Woken up most/every night by pain, n (%) | 16 (39.0) | 15 (35.7) | 17 (41.5) |
Oswestry Disability Index (0–100)e, mean (SD) | 34.8 (11.2) | 32.9 (13.7) | 35.7 (13.6) |
Oswestry Disability Index (categorised), n (%) | Â | Â | Â |
 Minimal disability (0–20%) | 5 (12.2) | 8 (19.0) | 4 (9.8) |
 Moderate disability (21–40%) | 24 (58.5) | 20 (47.6) | 23 (56.1) |
 Severe disability (40–60%) | 12 (29.3) | 13 (31.0) | 11 (26.8) |
 Crippledf (61–80%) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.4) | 3 (7.3) |
Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (0–100)g, mean (SD) | |||
 Total | 56.9 (16.0) | 48.7 (17.2) | 54.2 (17.3) |
 Activity subscale | 54.6 (17.0) | 46.7 (18.1) | 52.7 (18.1) |
 Symptom subscale | 65.4 (17.1) | 56.1 (17.2) | 59.3 (19.9) |
Pre-pregnancy BMI, n (%) | |||
 Normal/underweight | 16 (40.0) | 19 (47.5) | 12 (31.6) |
 Overweight | 8 (20.0) | 11 (27.5) | 17 (44.7) |
 Obese/morbidly obese | 16 (40.0) | 10 (25.0) | 9 (23.7) |
Taking prescribed medication, n (%) | 7 (17.1) | 5 (11.9) | 5 (12.2) |
Treatment preferences: Yes, n (%) | 10 (24.4) | 8 (19.1) | 10 (24.4) |
SF12—PCS, mean (SD) | 36.4 (7.6) | 38.2 (8.0) | 37.0 (9.7) |
SF12—MCS, mean (SD) | 46.6 (10.1) | 44.7 (12.1) | 48.1 (11.7) |
Self-assessed P4 test: familiar pain produced or increased in lumbosacro-iliac areah, n (%) | 25 (75.8) | 26 (81.3) | 22 (66.7) |
Bridging with extension of leg: familiar pain produced or increased in lumbosacro-iliac areah, n (%) | 25 (89.3) | 24 (80) | 23 (82.1) |
Positive on both P4 test and bridging test, n (%) | 17 (41.5) | 21 (50.0) | 16 (39.0) |