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NCT Number: NCT07419399

Acute Effects of Radiofrequency Diathermy in Postpartum Women With Diastasis Abdominis

This clinical trial aims to compare the immediate tissue response in postpartum women with and without rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) after undergoing radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) treatment. The main question it seeks to answer is: Do postpartum women with and without RAD exhibit different acute tissue responses in terms of pressure pain threshold, superficial thermal sensitivity, and tissue elasticity? To determine whether there are differences in these acute tissue responses between the groups, researchers will compare RFD with a sham RFD intervention in postpartum women with and without RAD.

Participants will receive one session of either RFD or a sham RFD intervention and will complete three assessments: one at baseline and two after the intervention, one immediately afterwards and one 20 minutes afterwards.

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Key information

Conditions

Postpartum Rectus Muscle Diastasis

Age range

20 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Physiotherapy. University of Valencia

Valencia, 46022, Spain

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

A randomised controlled experimental study will be conducted. The sample will consist of 48 postpartum women: 24 who have been diagnosed with pathological RAD and 24 who have not. The participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) a radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) group (n = 12), and (ii) a sham RFD group (n = 12). All participants will receive a single treatment session. Evaluations will be performed at three time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention and 20 minutes post-intervention. The variables assessed will include pressure pain threshold, superficial thermal sensitivity and tissue elasticity.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 20 and 45 years old.
  • BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/mw.
  • Postpartum period between 6 months and 1 year Additionally, in the group of women with RAD, pathological RAD will be defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2.2 cm (measured 3 cm above the navel), according to the criteria of Beer et al. (2009)

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous surgeries involving the abdominal wall.
  • Cesarean deliveries.
  • Women diagnosed with chronic pain

Treatment and study plan

Radiofrequency diathermy (RFD)

Other

RFD for 20 minutes, with 10 minutes applied using the capacitive method and 10 minutes using the resistive method.

Other names: Radiofrequency, Diathermy

Sham radiofrequency diathermy ( sham RFD)

Other

20 minutes of application of the RFD device without energy emission. 10 minutes using the capacitative electrode, and 10 minutes using the resistive electrode.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pressure pain threshold

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention and 20 minutes after the intervention.

    The pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer by applying progressive force to a supraumbilical point (three centimetres above the navel, at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis on the dominant side) until the participant reports pain. A higher value indicates a higher pain threshold.

  2. Superficial thermal sensitivity

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the interventino and 20 minutes after the intervention

    Superficial thermal sensitivity will be assessed using the Thermal Visual Analogue Scale. For this, the capacitive electrode will be placed over the rectus abdominis on both sides for 30 seconds. Participants will then rate their thermal sensation on a scale from 0 (no heat) to 10 (maximum tolerable heat).

  3. Tissue elasticity

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the interventino and 20 minutes after the intervention

    The MyotonPRO® myometer will be used to measure tissue elasticity over the rectus abdominis on both sides. Higher values indicate greater stiffness and lower tissue elasticity.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Marta Inglés de la Torre, PHD

CONTACT

[email protected]

686320380

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Valencia

Other

Registry information

Acronym: RDPP

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Feb 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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