Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy as Part of the Postpartum Care Continuum

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Postpartum, Pregnancy Related

In brief

Data shows us that injury risk increases in the first year postpartum. There is a paucity of literature regarding MSK injuries in postpartum military women. A unique challenge that postpartum service members face is the increased stress of training for and having to pass a physical fitness test directly tied to their career advancement. While there is epidemiological data across multiple branches of service, there is a gap in the literature in terms of how to appropriately address these decreased fitness levels and better understand the root causes. American College of Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that the postpartum visit include actionable information on return to physical activity. However, a large majority of women report receiving no guidance on how to engage in physical activity during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Physical therapy is commonly used to help individuals return to physical activity following orthopaedic surgeries, but it is not frequently utilized to assist the postpartum population in progressing back to physical activity. Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (OMPTs) are uniquely trained to address musculoskeletal symptoms and progress physical activity. An OMPT evaluation and treatment could facilitate increased physical activity and improve health-related quality of life, supporting the ACOG recommendation to make postpartum care an ongoing multidisciplinary process.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06560190

Run by

Brooke Army Medical Center

People needed

58

Starts

2024-04-08

Expected to finish

2025-07-05

Last updated by the study team

2024-08-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 44. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Female Active-Duty Service Member
• Postpartum >6 weeks and <6 months
• Cleared by OBGYN at postpartum follow-up to initiate physical activity

You may not qualify if…

• Current or ongoing treatment by an orthopaedic physical therapist
• Separating from military service in the next 6 months
• Current permanent profile for a musculoskeletal condition
• Peripartum Hysterectomy

Where it is running

• Brooke Army Medical Center — San Antonio, Texas, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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