The pain intensity at its maximum at the first visit to the therapist was 7.3 (SD, 1.4) as opposed to 6.2 (SD, 3.2) in week 36 (p<0.05) when pain was at its maximum. No statistically significant differences were noted in the other pain intensity registrations.
The mean number of physiotherapist visits was 3.4 times, for a total of 4 hours. The women found the visits useful.
The number of patients on sick leave was 33 in the intervention group, for an average of 3.1 occasions (range: 1-7, SD=1.1), with a total average of 30.4 days per woman. The corresponding value in the control group was 45 for an average of 3.3 occasions (range: 1-6, SD=1.2), for a total average of 53.6 days per woman. A statistically significant difference in sick leave was noted between the two study groups (p<0.001).
The most common diagnosis was posterior pelvic pain and no patient had nerve root syndrome.