CompletedNot Applicable

Postpartum Exercise and Diastasis Recti Abdominis

Norway70 participantsStarted 2020-01-09

Plain-language summary

Prevalence rates of diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) among postpartum women vary between 30% - 68%. It has been postulated that DRA, in addition to being a cosmetic concern for many women, may reduce low- back and pelvic stability causing low back- and pelvic girdle pain and be related to pelvic floor dysfunctions such as urinary incontinence, anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Given the limited research data, there is currently no consensus on which abdominal exercises to recommend to narrow the diastasis. The purpose of this assessor blinded parallel group randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the effect of abdominal muscle training on inter-recti distance (IRD) and prevalence of DRA.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 50 Years

SexFEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Primi- and multiparous women 6-12 months postpartum * Understand instructions given in Norwegian language * Willing/available to participate in a 3 months intervention period Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women * Women \< 6 months or \> 12 months postpartum * Women with children with illnesses and mothers with neurological, systemic musculoskeletal diseases or psychiatric diagnoses will be excluded from participation * Women with adherence \< 70 % of the home-based program will be excluded for the per protocol analyzes * Women with specific need for pelvic floor muscle training during the 3 months intervention period will be excluded

What they're measuring

Change in IRD assessed by 2D ultrasonography

Timeframe: Change from baseline IRD at 3 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04122924

SponsorNorwegian School of Sport Sciences

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2022-12-21