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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba

• Registration Number: NCT07001046
• Lead Sponsor: South Valley University

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-04-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-10-01
• Study Completion: 2024-03-26
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Study First Submitted: 2024-07-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-30
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-03
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 40

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Inter-recti Separation	Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions	The distance between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles measured in Centimeters (cm) by the diagnostic Ultrasound.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Abdominal muscle strength	Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions	A manual muscle test was used to assess the strength of rectus abdominis and abdominal obliques measured as an ordinal scale by a grading system of: Grade 0: No movement and no palpable contractions are evident.; * Grade 1: No movement is possible but a flicker of a muscle contraction may be palpated.; * Grade 2: With the arms held outstretched in front of the trunk, the patient lifts the head and cervical spine off the plinth. The scapulae remain on the plinth.; * Grade 3: With the arms held outstretched in front of the trunk, the patient lifts the inferior angles of the scapulae clear of the plinth.; * Grade 4: With the arms positioned across the chest, the patient lifts the inferior angles of the scapulae clear of the plinth.; * Grade 5: With the hands positioned beside the ears, the patient lifts the inferior angles of the scapulae clear of the plinth.
Girth measurements	Assessment was done pre treatment sessions and immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions	A tape measure examined waist, Umbilical, and Hip circumferences in centimeters (cm).
Satisfaction level	Assessment was done immediately after 8 weeks of treatment sessions	A Questionnaire was used to assess the level of patient satisfaction with each treatment (grade 0; non-satisfaction for those have less than 9-10 on the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP), and 1; satisfaction for those who have 9-10 on the MYMOP.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Faculty of physical therapy, South Valley University; 🇪🇬 Qinā, Qena, Egypt