Postural Stability in Individuals with and without Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Before and After Pelvic Belt Application

 Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD) is considered an origin of low-back pain. It can change the motor control strategy and postural control (PC).

 We aimed to find any probable differences in PC between subjects with and without SIJD and determine the effects of the pelvic belt (PB) on PC.

 Thirty-eight subjects were assigned into two equal groups with and without SIJD. They started to walk from the place marked on a force plate for 10 seconds after hearing an auditory signal and performed three attempts for each foot. They repeated six more ones with PB. Raw data were imported to an excel software (version 2007) spreadsheet to calculate the reaction time (RT) and anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) as the components of PC.

 Our results showed a significant difference in RT between the SIJD-affected and non-affected sides (P = 0.035), but there was no significant difference in APA (P = 0.057). There were significant differences in RT and APAs between the control and SIJD-affected side groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). The PB application showed a significant difference in RT and APAs of the SIJD-affected side (P = 0.001 and P = 0.047, respectively).

 It seems pain could lead to the postural sway into instability and change the motor control strategy. The proprioception signals from the neuromuscular system of SIJ improved after PB. Therefore, PB, as a feasible tool, can be recommended for PC improvement.