The effect of core muscle training vs. outer abdominal muscle training during the first three months postpartum on the size of the gap in abdominal muscles after birth in patients with diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM); Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation - Physiotherapy; Musculoskeletal - Other muscular and skeletal disorders

• Registration Number: ACTRN12621000539831
• Lead Sponsor: Eloise Simpson

Brief Summary

Completion of rectus abdominis exercise as an independent home exercise program during the early postpartum period results in a greater percentage reduction of the inter-recti distance in patients with diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles at 12 weeks postpartum, when compared with TrA exercise.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Completion: 2020-03-30
• Study Start: 2021-05-07
• Last Update Posted: 17 May 2021

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

DRAM of >30mm at one or more of the measurement points of 2cm above/below/at the level of the umbilicus.
Delivered vaginally after 37 weeks gestation
Delivered within past 72 hours
Age > 18 years

Exclusion Criteria

Caesarean section delivery,
Delivered >72 hours prior to assessment,
< 18 years of age,
Presence of serious disease/pathology or impaired cognition contraindicating involvement in an exercise program.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
% change in inter-recti distance 2cm above the level of the umbilicus measured via the mean of three measurements using digital calipers[Baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks (primary timepoint)];% change in inter-recti distance at the level of the umbilicus measured via the mean of three measurements using digital calipers[Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks (primary timepoint)];% change in inter-recti distance 2cm below the level of the umbilicus measured via the mean of three measurements using digital calipers[Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks (primary timepoint)]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in patient reported pelvic floor function measured via the validated Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ)[Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks]