Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06311201

Effect of Pilates Exercises on Diastasis Recti Abdominis in Postpartum Women

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on diastasis recti abdominis in postpartum women.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Diastasis Recti

Age range

20 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cairo University

Giza, Egypt

About this study

Rectus diastasis is relatively common having negative health consequences for women during and after pregnancy (ante-and postnatal periods). Varying estimates of incidence of rectus diastasis have been reported ranging from 66% to 100% during the third trimester of pregnancy, and up to 53% immediately after delivery. Among patients with urogynecological disorders, 52% were found to have a rectus diastasis and 66% had at least one type of pelvic floor dysfunction.

A diastasis can contribute to lower back pain and strain due to other muscles being overworked or compensating for the lack of integrity of abdominals, unstable core, pelvic and back muscles, poor posture, shallow breathing and uterine prolapse. This may result in altered trunk mechanics, impaired pelvic stability and changed posture, which leave the lumbar spine and pelvis more vulnerable to injury.

Facilitation, concentric activation, and stabilization of the abdominal muscles occurred during core stability exercise are used to correct diastasis recti. Pilates has been known to improve the strength and flexibility of muscles, particularly the abdominal muscles, lower back, hip and buttocks i.e. the core musculature thus helping in improving core stability.

Uptill now, there was no previous studies have examined the impact of Pilates training on rectus abdominis diastasis in postpartum women. So, this study will be valuable benefits for medical services organizations and will increase body of knowledge of physical therapists in scientific field.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Postpartum women (7 days after delivery) having diastasis recti (separation between the two recti more than 2.5cm at the level of umbilicus).
  • Multiparous women (2-3) times delivered vaginally with or without episiotomy.
  • Their age ranged from 20 -35 years old.
  • Their BMI was less than 30 kg/cm2.

Exclusion criteria

  • Abdominal or back surgery.
  • Abdominal hernia.
  • History of abnormal pregnancy, uterine fibroid or polyhydraminos during pregnancy.
  • Neurological disorders as multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal lesion.
  • Musculoskeletal diseases such as fractures muscle strains, severe knee osteoarthritis which may affect their physical activity.

Treatment and study plan

Abdominal belt

Other

This was used for all women in both groups (A and B) for 8 weeks starting from the 7th days after delivery. The women was asked to wear the abdominal belt throughout the day except when bathing, eating and sleeping. The binder was worn over the skin directly or on a thin layer of clothing. The side of the abdominal binder without the straps was pulled over by the woman's stomach with one hand. The side of the binder with straps was stretched across the stomach and pulled to the center of the abdomen. The straps then was fitted into the buckles. Women were instructed not to wear the binder too tight or too loose as it might irritate the skin and produce difficulty in breathing creating discomfort. They were asked to inspect their skin regularly for any signs of sensitivity.

Pilates exercises

Other

The Pilates exercise program for the study group (B) consisted of a 10-minute warm-up with low-intensity exercises, followed by a 40-minute central part with floor exercises like leg circles, kicks, and stretches. It included the classic "hundred" exercise, performed with proper form. Each exercise had two sets of 10 repetitions. The session ended with a 10-minute cool-down of stretching exercises, supervised by a physical therapist. The program was conducted three times per week, one hour per session, for eight weeks, starting from the 7th day after delivery.

Primary outcomes

  1. Measurement of separation between the two-rectus abdominis muscles above the umbilicus at rest

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The distance between the recti muscles was measured 4.5 cm above the umbilicus at rest at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration.

  2. Measurement of separation between the two-rectus abdominis muscles above the umbilicus during contraction

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The distance between the recti muscles was measured 4.5 cm above the umbilicus during contraction at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration.

  3. Measurement of separation between the two-rectus abdominis muscles at level of the umbilicus at rest

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The distance between the recti muscles was measured at level of the umbilicus at rest at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration.

  4. Measurement of separation between the two-rectus abdominis muscles at level of the umbilicus during contraction

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The distance between the recti muscles was measured at level of the umbilicus during contraction at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration.

  5. Measurement of separation between the two-rectus abdominis muscles below the umbilicus at rest

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The distance between the recti muscles was measured 4.5 cm below the umbilicus at rest at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration.

  6. Measurement of separation between the two-rectus abdominis muscles below the umbilicus during contraction

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The distance between the recti muscles was measured 4.5 cm below the umbilicus during contraction at the beginning and again at the end of the study duration.

  7. Assessment of trunk flexion strength

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Trunk flexion strength was graded from 0 to 5 using Daniels and Worthingham's procedure before and after the end of the study program. For grades 3-5, the patient curled up through the full range of motion until the scapulae cleared the table. For grade 2, the patient just lifted their head off the table. For grades 0 and 1, the therapist used assisted forward lean or coughing techniques while palpating the rectus abdominis.

  8. Assessment of static trunk flexion endurance

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    It was tested before and after the end of the study program by adopting the most challenging position that was achieved in the strength test, and instructing the participating women to hold that position as long as possible. Standardized verbal encouragement was provided by the assessor, and the holding time was determined using a stopwatch. Three repetitions of the static endurance test were performed with at least 3 minutes of rest between trials; the best (longest holding time) of the three trials was used to represent the participant's endurance. The same position used to evaluate trunk flexion endurance at the initial evaluation was used in subsequent evaluations, even if the woman's strength grade improved between evaluations.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Assessment of functional status

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    All participating women with diastasis recti in both groups (A & B) were asked to fill the Inventory of functional status after childbirth questionnaire before and after the end of the study program. This questionnaire includes five domains and 36 items, that is, infant care (6 items), personal care (8 items), household activities (12 items), social and community activities (6 items), and occupational activities (4 items). The questionnaire was rated on a 4-point Likert scale and the mean score was calculated with one point being the lowest and four points being the highest scores possible. Higher scores indicated better functional status.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Mar 15, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 2024

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.