NCT03595696

Core Strengthening for DRA in Postpartum Women

Effect of a Core Strengthening Program on Diastasis Rectus Abdominus in Postpartum Women

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will prospectively measure the effectiveness of a core strengthening program on reducing the inter-rectus distance (IRD) and abdominal wall muscle contraction in postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominus (DRA). Additionally, this study will aim to investigate and clarify the association between IRD and low back pain.

Detailed description

DRA is a separation of the abdominal wall muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy and is caused by the stretching of the linea alba to accommodate a growing fetus. Separation of core muscles is thought to be factor in postpartum low back pain, stress urinary incontinence, and core strength, as well as being cosmetically undesirable. This study will evaluate the effect of a core strengthening program on shortening the IRD and improving the connectivity and strength of abdominal wall muscles in postpartum women with a DRA. It will also investigate the relationship between IRD and low back pain.

Conditions

• Diastasis Recti
• Postpartum
• Low Back Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Core Muscle Strength Training	Targeted weekly workouts consisting of low-impact aerobic exercises and resistance exercises designed to address muscle imbalance common in women who exhibit DRA and to prompt automatic core engagement while performing compound, multi-joint movements.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-10-01
• Primary completion: 2019-07-16
• Completion: 2019-07-16
• First posted: 2018-07-23
• Last updated: 2019-11-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States