Table 5 Summary of treatments delivered
| Â | Treatment arm | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Standard care (n = 41) | SC + true acupuncture (n = 42) | SC + non-penetrating acupuncture (n = 41) | |
Participants | |||
 Number of participants who booked appointment to see a physiotherapist | 4 | 37 | 41 |
 Total number of participants who attended at least one treatment session with a physiotherapist | 4 | 34 | 38 |
 Total number of participants who received acupuncture treatment | 0 | 33 | 36 |
 Number of treatment sessions provided (per participant), median (IQR) | 2 (1, 4) | 6 (3, 7) | 6 (6, 7) |
Number of treatment sessions per participant (categorised), n (% of no. of participants seen) | |||
 1–5 | 4 (100) | 13 (38.2) | 9 (23.7) |
 6–8 | 0 (0.0) | 17 (50.0) | 27 (71.1) |
 9–11 | 0 (0.0) | 4 (11.8) | 2 (5.3) |
Number of treatments per participant in line with protocolsa, n (% of number of participants who attended at least one treatment session) | 2 (50.0) | 17 (50.4) | 27 (71.1) |
Treatment sessions: total number planned | 13 | 240 | 273 |
Total number of treatment sessions provided (% of total planned) | 9 (69.2) | 189 (78.8) | 224 (82.1) |
Total number of sessions that were not attended—DNAs/UTAs (% of total planned) | 4 (30.8) | 51 (21.3) | 49 (17.9) |
Total number of sessions attended where acupuncture was provided, n (% of attended) | 0 (0.0) | 163 (86.2) | 197 (87.9) |
Pain severity after treatment (0–10), mean (SD) | 6.0 (0.8) | 1.9 (2.0) | 2.3 (2.3) |
Number (%) of participants who received the treatment at least once during the course of treatment for participants who attended at least one treatment session with a physiotherapist | n = 4 | n = 34 | n = 38 |
Assessment/reassessment | 4 (100.0) | 34 (100.0) | 38 (100.0) |
Education and advice | 4 (100.0) | 34 (100.0) | 38 (100.0) |
Tubigrip provided with instruction | 3 (75.0) | 17 (50.0) (50.0) | 19 (50.0) |
Pelvic support belt provided with instruction | 2 (50.0) | 9 (26.5) | 7 (18.4) |
Heat therapy used in clinic | 0 (0.0) | 3 (8.8) | 2 (5.3) |
Massage therapy used in clinic | 0 (0.0) | 8 (23.5) | 8 (21.05) |
Manual therapy used in clinic | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (5.3) |
Supervised exercises in clinic | 1 (25.0) | 24 (70.6) | 20 (52.6) |
Home exercises given/reviewed | 4 (100.0) | 29 (85.3) | 33 (86.8) |
Issued walking aids | 2 (50.0) | 2 (5.9) | 5 (13.2) |
Number (%) of participants offered an exercise approach at least once during the course of treatment for participants who attended at least one treatment session with a physiotherapist | n = 4 | n = 34 | n = 38 |
Transversus abdominus muscle strengthening | 2 (50.0) | 24 (70.6) | 25 (65.8) |
Pelvic floor muscle strengthening | 2 (50.0) | 19 (55.9) | 21 (55.3) |
Pelvic tilt exercise | 3 (75.0) | 26 (76.5) | 21 (55.3) |
Gluteal muscle strengthening | 2 (50.0) | 25 (73.5) | 22 (57.9) |
Lower back/pelvic stretching | 1 (25.0) | 15 (44.1) | 10 (26.3) |
Advice/signposting to general physical activity opportunities | 2 (50.0) | 8 (23.5) | 12 (31.6) |
Other exercisesb | 1 (25.0) | 13 (38.2) | 15 (39.5) |