Impact of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Rectus Diastasis in Women Undergoing Cesarean Birth

South Valley University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba

Treatments: Other: Mobile app-directed exercise program; Other: Traditional Abdominal Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07001046

Mobile App-Based Exercises

Details and patient eligibility

About

Diastasis recti abdominis, or rectus diastasis, is the separation of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the linea alba, without any visible defect in the fascia.

Diastasis recti abdominis is most frequent during pregnancy and postpartum especially, after cesarean birth.

Full description

Cesarean births were linked to significant post-operative changes in the thickness of abdominal fasciae and muscles when compared to vaginal births and these changes may be involved in the higher rates of diastasis recti post-cesarean births.

Managing diastasis recti abdominis begins with its diagnosis, followed by targeted interventions.

Diagnosis usually involves manual palpation to estimate the gap between the rectus abdominis muscles along the tendinous sheet of the linea alba. Updated imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, are now more frequently used for diagnosis.

Treatment either surgical or conservative; emphasizes physical therapy and personalized exercise programs. This method targets strengthening specific core muscles, such as the transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 25 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• First-time mothers who delivered by a cesarean birth
• Post-cesarean women between 25 and 35 years old
• Women with a Diastasis Recti of at least 1 cm separation above the umbilicus and at least 0.5 cm separation below the umbilicus

Exclusion criteria

• First-time mothers who delivered by a vaginal birth
• Multiparous mothers
• Those who have not a Diastasis Recti
• Mothers under 25 years old and those above 35 years old

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A

Experimental group

Description:

20 first-time mothers participated in a mobile app-guided exercise program focusing on abdominal muscles. The app was downloaded during their initial visit to supplement their treatment, which they conducted at home three times a week for eight weeks. They also attended follow-up sessions once a week.

Treatment:

Other: Mobile app-directed exercise program

Group B

Experimental group

Description:

20 first-time mothers participated in a specific abdominal exercise program that included static abdominal exercises, head lifts with posterior pelvic tilting, and progressive curl-up exercises. The exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks as part of a home routine, along with a weekly follow-up session.

Treatment:

Other: Traditional Abdominal Exercises