Impact of Early Abdominal Bracing with exercises on Diastasis Recti in Primiparous Women: A Eight-Week Intervention Study

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combining abdominal exercises with abdominal bracing in managing Diastasis Recti (DRA) among first-time mothers during the early postpartum period. Diastasis Recti is a common musculoskeletal complication experienced by pregnant and postpartum women, marked by the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. The condition can affect core stability, posture, and quality of life. Its prevalence can be as high as 82 percent during pregnancy, with many cases persisting postpartum. Despite its frequency, effective clinical interventions remain limited, especially in resource-constrained settings. This Study will be conducted over eight months with an intervention period of eight weeks. A total of 60 primiparous women identified with an inter-recti distance (IRD) greater then or equal to 25 mm will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (exercise only) and Group B (exercise with abdominal binder). The sampling will be done using through  Computer Generated Randomization method. The study will record data at baseline, the 6th week, and the 8th week. The outcome measures include changes in inter-recti distance (IRD), assessed through finger width and caliper method. Statistical analysis will involve unpaired t-tests for between-group comparisons and paired t-tests for within-group comparisons. An Intention-to-Treat (ITT) analysis will handle participant dropout.