Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39210354›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2024

The influence of breastfeeding factors on the prevalence of back and neck pain: data from an online survey.

Marzena Ratajczak, Renata Górnowicz

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07576426 (Combine Effects of Motor Control Retraining and Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Strength and Function in Breast Feeding Females With Scapular Dyskinesia.), which is not on this map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07576426 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Combine Effects of Motor Control Retraining and Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Strength and Function in Breast Feeding Females With Scapular Dyskinesia.

TypeinterventionalSponsorRiphah International UniversityRan2025 to 2026Enrolled34ConditionsScapular DyskinesisArmsmotor control retraining, scapular stabilization exercises
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Clinical and Electromyographic Effect of Tui-Na Massage Versus Positional Release on Postpartum Neck Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy · 2026
    Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Superficial heat therapy in women's health.Frontiers in medicine · 2026
    Review
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Marzena RatajczakDepartment of Medical Biology, Poznan University of Physical Education, ul. Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, Poznan, 61-701, Poland. mratajczak@awf.poznan.pl.
Renata GórnowiczDepartment of Medical Biology, Poznan University of Physical Education, ul. Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, Poznan, 61-701, Poland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSometimes during breastfeeding women adopt positions that may cause problems with musculoskeletal system, resulting in back pain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of lower back, upper back and neck pain in breastfeeding women and how this may be related to the act of breastfeeding.

methodsAn online survey within Poland was conducted among 395 breastfeeding women who were 1 to 48 months postpartum and were divided into two groups; "no back pain" and "back pain present". The measurement tools used included an original questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (0-10), and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Pearson's chi-squared tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Student's t-tests, and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA tests were used to compare the groups.

resultsIt was found that 84% of breastfeeding mothers suffered from back pain at least once a month. Pain was experienced at least once a week in the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral regions in 48%, 36%, and 66% of the women, respectively. A dysfunctional state was present in 27.6% of breastfeeding mothers who suffered from back pain. Mothers experiencing back pain spent significantly more time on single breastfeeding episodes (p < 0.05) and had an increased total time breastfeeding per day (p < 0.01) compared to mothers with no back pain. Neck pain was significantly less intense in mothers preferring to breastfeed in a lying position as compared to mothers preferring a sitting position in a chair or an armchair (p < 0.05).

conclusionsThis survey of Polish breastfeeding mothers revealed a very high prevalence of lower back, upper back and neck pain. The amount of time spent on breastfeeding and the choice of body position for breastfeeding were important factors differentiating the prevalence and intensity of the pain. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers do not extend the single-feeding time in the adopted position beyond the required time. It is of utmost importance to choose a breastfeeding position in which all parts of the mother's body are supported. To prevent neck pain, lying and semi-lying positions with head support are recommended.

Indexed as

Back PainBreast FeedingNeck PainAdultFemaleHumansInternetMothersPain MeasurementPolandPosturePrevalenceSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultBreast feedingBreastfeeding positionsErgonomicsLower back painNeck painUpper back pain

Identifiers

PMID39210354
PMCPMC11360292

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.