Core Strengthening for DRA in Postpartum Women

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Diastasis Recti; Postpartum; Low Back Pain

Treatments: Other: Core Muscle Strength Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03595696

2017-1999

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will prospectively measure the effectiveness of a core strengthening program on reducing the inter-rectus distance (IRD) and abdominal wall muscle contraction in postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominus (DRA). Additionally, this study will aim to investigate and clarify the association between IRD and low back pain.

Full description

DRA is a separation of the abdominal wall muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy and is caused by the stretching of the linea alba to accommodate a growing fetus. Separation of core muscles is thought to be factor in postpartum low back pain, stress urinary incontinence, and core strength, as well as being cosmetically undesirable. This study will evaluate the effect of a core strengthening program on shortening the IRD and improving the connectivity and strength of abdominal wall muscles in postpartum women with a DRA. It will also investigate the relationship between IRD and low back pain.

Enrollment: 56 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy women who have given birth within the last 36 months but are at least 12 weeks postpartum
• Not currently pregnant
• Current DRA diagnosed using ultrasound with an IRD of at least 2.0 cm

Exclusion criteria

• History of ventral/umbilical hernia prior to pregnancy
• >36 months postpartum
• Currently pregnant
• Beighton's score >5/9
• Unable to participate in a regular core strengthening program
• Unable to attend the three data collection sessions

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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56 participants in 2 patient groups

Core Strengthening Exercise Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

All subjects will participate in the study for a total of 24 consecutive weeks. During the first 12 weeks, subjects will participate in weekly online exercise classes for Core Muscle Strength training and will be asked to perform daily homework assignments. Following completion of the 12-week intervention, subjects will be asked to continue the exercises on their own.

Treatment:

Other: Core Muscle Strength Training

Control+Core Strengthening Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

All subjects will participate in the study for a total of 24 weeks. During the first 12 weeks, subjects will serve as the control group, and they will be advised to continue their baseline level of exercise and lifestyle. During the subsequent 12 weeks, subjects will participate in the exact same program as Group A performed during the first 12 weeks (Core Muscle Strength Training).

Treatment:

Other: Core Muscle Strength Training