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NCT Number: NCT07576218

Effects of Pilates and Progressive Prone Plank Exercises in Diastasis Recti

This study aims to determine the comparative effects of Pilates and Progressive Prone Plank exercises on pain, strength and inter rectus distance in Diastasis Recti

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Key information

Conditions

Diastasis Recti Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sehat Medical Complex

Lahore, Punjab Province, 6400, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Rameesha khan, MSPT(WH)

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

sobia ghafoor, MSPT-OM

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

This will be a randomized clinical trial collected from University of Lahore Teaching hospital and Sehat Medical Complex Lahore by using non-probability convenience sampling technique. Multiparous women with a BMI less than 30 kg/m² and have been clinically diagnosed with Diastasis Recti will be included in this study. Participants must be able to perform physical activity without contraindications and must provide informed consent. Women currently pregnant, with significant pelvic floor dysfunction, unmanaged chronic illnesses (e.g., heart disease or hypertension), recent abdominal surgeries within the last six months will be excluded. The sample size is calculated to be 34, with 17 participants in each group. Group A will receive Pilates training, while Group B will undergo progressive prone plank exercises. Each session will last for 45 minute, thrice weekly for four weeks. Pre- and post-treatment evaluations will include pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), strength (Manual Muscle Testing), and inter-rectus distance (measured by finger-width method with a Vernier caliper). Data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 27.0.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Multiparous women
  • Postpartum women (within 6 to 12 months postpartum)
  • BMI <30
  • IRD ≥2 cm diagnosed with Diastasis Recti (verified by ultrasound or clinical assessment)
  • Participants who have undergone either vaginal delivery or cesarean section (C-section).

Exclusion criteria

  • Significant pelvic floor dysfunction or pelvic organ prolapse or other related conditions
  • Patient with unmanaged chronic conditions, like heart disease or hypertension
  • Recent abdominal or related surgeries within the past six months
  • Women who are currently pregnant or experiencing postpartum complications.
  • Patient with presence of hernia.

Treatment and study plan

Experimental: Pilates exercises

Other

It will be delivered three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting approximately 25 minutes

Progressive Prone Plank Exercises

Other

It will be delivered three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting approximately 25 minutes

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    Time frame: 4th week

    The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a widely used subjective pain measurement tool. It was created as a simple way to assess pain severity. It has a rating range of 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain, 5 indicating severe discomfort, and 10 denoting the greatest conceivable agony

  2. Manual muscle testing

    Time frame: 4th week

    Manual muscle testing (MMT) is a fundamental assessment method used by healthcare professionals to evaluate muscle strength, including the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus. (34) It has a scoring range from 0 to 5 where 5 shows maximum strength. It has a reliability range from 0.88 to 0.94. It also has a good validity with 0.62 to 1.00 range

  3. Finger width method

    Time frame: 4th week

    In this patient were asked to lie in a supine position in crook lying. Patient is instructed to do abdominal crunch till their shoulder is off the couch. By palpation around the protrusion along the linea alba diastasis recti is assessed with 4.5 cm above and below of umbilical. In case of less than 2 fingers breadth there is no diastasis recti. In case of 2 to 3 fingers breadth the diastasis recti is considered mild. In case of 3 to 4 fingers breadth it is considered as moderate and in case of 4 or more than 4 fingers breadth the diastasis recti is considered severe. The measurement will be done with the help of a Vernier caliper. Measurements were taken 4.5 cm above and below the umbilicus during an abdominal crunch, with the caliper placed between the palpated borders of the rectus abdominis. Three readings were taken at each point, and the average was used for analysis

Study contacts

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

imran amjad

CONTACT

[email protected]

03324390125

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Pilates and Progressive Prone Plank Exercises on Pain, Strength and Inter-Rectus Distance in Diastasis Recti

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 8, 2026
Registry last updated
May 8, 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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