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Relationship between Low Back Pain, Functional Disability, and Depressive Symptoms Among Postpartum Women Following Lower Segment Caesarean Section
Corresponding Author(s) : P. Bright Alwin Victor
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 14 No. 4 (2026): 2026 Volume 14-Issue 4
Abstract
Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint during the postpartum period and may negatively affect physical functioning, daily activities, and psychological well-being. Women recovering following lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) may experience additional physical demands associated with maternal activities and recovery. However, the relationships among postpartum low back pain, functional disability, and depressive symptoms require further investigation.
Objective: To determine the relationships among low back pain intensity, functional disability, and depressive symptoms in postpartum women following LSCS.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 100 postpartum women aged 18–35 years who had undergone LSCS and reported non-specific low back pain 3–15 months after childbirth. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Low back pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and depressive symptoms were assessed using the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships among the study variables. Stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association of NPRS scores with ODI and DASS-21 depression scores. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Low back pain intensity demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with DASS-21 depression scores (r = 0.501, p < 0.001). ODI scores also demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with DASS-21 depression scores (r = 0.514, p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between NPRS and ODI scores (r = 0.821, p < 0.001). In the regression analysis, NPRS was significantly associated with ODI scores and accounted for 67.4% of the variance in ODI scores (R² = 0.674, p < 0.001). NPRS was also significantly associated with DASS-21 depression scores and accounted for 25.1% of their variance (R² = 0.251, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Among postpartum women following LSCS, greater low back pain intensity was associated with greater functional disability and higher depressive symptom scores. These findings highlight the importance of assessing pain, functional status, and psychological well-being as part of postpartum physiotherapy care. Because the study used a cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be established.