Feasibility and effectiveness of a foam rolling intervention in pregnant women requiring bed rest for foetal protection: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Bed rest during pregnancy can lead to reduced physical activity, impairing lower limb venous blood flow and increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and muscle atrophy. We investigated the clinical efficacy of foam rolling intervention (FRI) in enhancing lower limb venous blood flow, mitigating the risk of DVT and muscle atrophy in pregnant women on bed rest. Methods This single-blind, randomised controlled trial enrolled 86 pregnant women with long-term bed rest for foetal protection (≥ 7 days), gestational age ≥ 20 weeks, and maternal age 0.05), however, the peak blood velocities of the popliteal veins were significantly higher in the control group (P = 0.031). On the seventh day post-intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher mean and peak blood velocities in femoral and popliteal veins, significantly (P < 0.05), lower mean D-dimer levels (P = 0.035), and a significantly smaller reduction in thigh and calf circumference (P < 0.001). Consequently, the rate of thigh muscle atrophy was significantly slower in the experimental group (P = 0.011). Conclusions FRI is an effective intervention for improving lower limb venous blood flow, mitigating the risk of DVT and muscle atrophy in pregnant women on bed rest. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on June 18, 2024 (registration number: ChiCTR2400085770).

Keywords

• Bed rest
• Pregnancy, high-risk
• Foam rolling
• Venous thrombosis
• Muscular atrophy.