The Effect of Exercise Therapy and/or Abdominal Binding on Inter-rectus Distance, Abdominal Muscle Strength, Lumbopelvic and Urogynecological Complaints, Perceived Function, and Body Image in Post-partum Women With Diastasis Recti
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Queen's University
- Enrollment
- 32
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Inter-Rectus Distance
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of two different physiotherapeutic interventions (exercise therapy and/or abdominal binding) on the signs and symptoms of diastasis recti in post-partum women.
Detailed Description
This study is investigating the effect of exercise therapy and/or abdominal binding on inter-rectus distance, abdominal muscle strength and endurance, lumbopelvic dysfunction, urogynecological complaints, perceived function, and body image in post-partum women with diastasis recti
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 35 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •18 to 35 years old
- •given birth to their first child, vaginally, in the last three to four weeks
- •inter-rectus distance of two finger widths of greater on palpation during head lift
Exclusion Criteria
- •history of persistent pain with intercourse prior to pregnancy
- •diagnosed with neurological impairments affecting the central nervous system or sacral nerves
- •diagnosed with connective tissue disorders
Arms & Interventions
Supervised exercise therapy
Participants will receive 12 sessions with a physiotherapist where they will receive instructions on body mechanics, and be given a progressive abdominal exercise program
Intervention: Exercise therapy (Other)
Abdominal binding
Participants will be fitted for an abdominal binder and asked to wear it for a period of 12 weeks.
Intervention: Abdominal binding (Other)
Exercise therapy and Abdominal Binding
Participants will attend 12 sessions with a physiotherapist, and receive an abdominal binder
Intervention: Exercise therapy (Other)
Exercise therapy and Abdominal Binding
Participants will attend 12 sessions with a physiotherapist, and receive an abdominal binder
Intervention: Abdominal binding (Other)
Control
Participants will not receive an intervention during the study period
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Inter-Rectus Distance
Time Frame: baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention
Measured using ultrasound imaging
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Lumbopelvic dysfunction(baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention)
- Change in Abdominal Strength and Endurance(baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention)
- Change in Body image(baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention)
- Change in Severity of Lumbopelvic and/or Abdominal Pain(baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention)
- Change in Urogynecological Complaints(baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention)
- Change in Perceived Function(baseline, 12 weeks post intervention, 9 months post intervention)
Investigators
Nadia Keshwani
PhD candidate
Queen's University