The effect of maternity support belts on postural balance in pregnancy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternity support belts (MSB) on postural balance during pregnancy.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort study.

Setting: Outpatient visits at a university hospital, obstetrics and gynecology clinic.

Participants: A total of 90 pregnant women in first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy; 30 pregnant women for each trimester.

Methods: Dynamic and postural stability by using a Biodex Stability System and comparing pregnant women with and without an MSB in each cohort group.

Main Outcome Measures: Overall, anterior-posterior stability index, medial-lateral stability index, and fall risk test (FRT) scores were obtained with 1 stance at platform stability of level 8. Four measurements from the Biodex Stability System were compared between pregnant women with and without an MSB in each group.

Results: The scores of anterior-posterior stability index and FRT were significantly lower in the first-trimester group with an MSB than without an MSB (P < .05). Medial-lateral stability index and FRT scores were significantly lower in the second-trimester group with an MSB than without an MSB (P < .05). In the third-trimester group, overall, medial-lateral stability index, and FRT scores were lower for participants with an MSB compared with participants without an MSB (P < .05). In all trimester groups, FRT scores were detected to be lower in pregnant women with an MSB than in those without an MSB (P < .05).

Conclusions: MSB use improves impaired balance and FRT scores during all periods of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. MSB is useful for fall prevention during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester.